Today I Got to Swing

Today I got to swing.

It wasn't a quiet, gentle swing. But it was peaceful, and it brought me closer to God.

I hopped on the swing in between five of my students. Five of my students tried to swing higher than me.

Today I got to swing.

It was the kind of swing that made me hoot and holler. With each pump of my legs, I went higher and higher, and I laughed and laughed.

I was closer to the trees and closer to the sky. This made me think of God.

Lately, I haven't been hearing Him. I think it's because lately I haven't been talking to Him. God is always there. He never leaves us.

I felt Him there while I was swinging. He said, "Jordan, it's good to hear you laugh. Thank you for teaching my children."

As I was high in the sky and up in the trees, I looked around me and felt peace. I realized that I love what I do. I get the awesome responsibility of molding these young minds and showing these children God and His love.

And on days like today, I get to swing.

Take this Test

I'm sitting here, watching my students take a Math test. Some of them are whispering to themselves, others are counting on their fingers or looking up at some imaginary object as they count in their heads. All of them are focused intently on what is in front of them - the 20 question, multiple choice math test.

Even though my students may be focused intently right now, don't think that they are always this way. Most days they are very talkative, and a few get distracted with something other than the lesson. Sometimes they are playing around and laughing. Other times they are looking off in space.

At this moment however, they know that the task that they have on hand is rather important. It requires total concentration. Why? Because what they are doing will show me, their teacher, the information that they know. Because part of their grade depends on it.

This doesn't change as we move into adulthood. In college, we are given final exams at the end of each semester that put us into this mode the last two weeks (or maybe even few days) of school: cram time. We give our complete attention to deadlines, driving tests, CPR certifications, even writing resumes, knowing that how we perform determines whether we rise or fall, pass or fail, are employed or unemployed.

Too many times we put too much importance on these tests, instead of focusing on what's really infront of us.

Family and friends.

Children.

God.

I want you to take this test. Make a list of the things that are important to you. Spend some time each day to the things or people on your list. Jobs, wealth, and status will all come and go, but relationships won't as long as you keep giving to them. Let this determine how successful you are.

Run this Race

I ran along the creek this afternoon.  Knowing that there was potential rain on the way, I took the chance anyway.  My friend, Erica, and I set off while gray clouds loomed over us.

Halfway through, I felt a drop on my face.

And then another one.

Pretty soon rain was pouring down, and we kept going, not wanting to get any more drenched than we had to.  Normally, we'll get to a certain point and walk the rest of the way, but not today. We just wanted to get to shelter, hidden from the rain.

So, I pushed myself up this hill, trying to get closer to the destination.  I'm not gonna lie, it was hard,  I didn't want to do it, but then something in my head said, "Run this race..."

And I thought about God.  Funny how He talks to me when I least expect it.

In our daly walks there are so many times when we think we can't make it; when we don't wan to go any further; when we think it's too hard.  Something pushes us to keep going; to keep running this race; to live this life for Him.

By the end of my run, I was soaked (but then again, it seemed inevitable since the rain was kinda coming down fast) and I got in my car, ready to head home and change out of my wet clothes.  I turned on the radio to hear Jeremy Camp singing, 'I Still Believe" to me:

"But it's now that I feel your grace fall like rain

From every fingertip washing away my pain

Well the only place I can go is into your arms

Where I throw to you my feeble prayers well in brokenness

I can see that this was your will for me

Help me to know that yo are near"

After that run I felt refreshed (both from exercise and the rain) and cleansed.  I know that God is always there for me, cheering me on.  "Run this race..." He says.  So, I run it, for Him, and I know that if I ever need someone to run to, His arms are always open.