The title of this blog, "Season of Change," is calming. It sounds easy- like the sometimes unnoticeable changes in the actual seasons. You gradually notice this change as the bright colors of summer turn into warm autumn tones. However, it doesn't disrupt anything; it does not effect the normal ebb and flow of life.
This "season of change" for me is not like that. It's more like I've been placed inside of a snow globe and shaken by a five year old who ate too much frosting. The snow is spinning in circles more like a tornado than a soft winter scene; and I'm still not quite sure if I'm upside down or right side up.
Let me say one thing before I continue: I am experiencing miraculous change. There is no other place I'd rather be than in the middle of this season.
Three months ago I was eagerly anticipating my Spring Break vacation. I was planning on taking a trip to Alabama with my boy friendChris to visit my aunt in Wetumpka. We were wondering what Chris was going to do after college and I was completely unsure of what to do for the next school year. We didn't know when we'd be married, where we'd live, or how we'd support ourselves. I was terrified.
But God then decided to take that snow globe and shake it until every thing fell into the perfect place. Chris proposed that weekend in Alabama and we set our wedding date for November. That same weekend we ended up interviewing at a church in Ozark, AL, where Chris is now happily employed. We rented a house. It was furnished for us. We are financially stable, our pantry is full AND we have a washer and dryer. :) Three weeks from now I will be moving up to Alabama, where God has provided another home for Chris to live in until we get married. We are surrounded by incredible church families in Alabama, Florida and Michigan.
Dumb question coming: Do we serve a miracle working, faithful, awesome God? Um- yes, we do.
I will be writing a blog telling about the amazing miracles He has performed during this "season of change." It will be worth reading, because He is a God worth reading about. :)
Friday, June 4, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Ordinary to extraordinary
Last week, Chris and I met my Nana for dinner. She had a special gift for me- a family tradition.
Our family is full of traditions. Special markings to look forward through as you journey through life. This particular tradition takes place when a girl in our family gets engaged. She is given a thimble- yes, like the one you sew with. Why a thimble? In the 1800's, the end of the thimble would have been cut off and given as the engagement ring. I like this tradition. I knew the thimble was coming, and I was excited about my new rite of passage. (note: I'm sure Chris would have preferred buying me a thimble instead of the gorgeous diamond ring I got. :)
When we arrived at the restaurant to meet Nana, she handed me an ordinary brown box tied with a silver sparkly ribbon. I carefully untied the ribbon, and as I did the glitter from it started to fall off. It was on my pants, on the seat underneath me and on the top of the box. It's kind of like one of those cards you get for your birthday- after you read it, the glitter seems to stay on your hands for days, reminding you of the sentiment. My Nana explained to me that she deemed the ribbon necessary, as the box was just so plain.
I was too excited about the thimble to think anything more about the glittery ribbon or the ordinary brown box, until I later pulled it out of my purse. Sparkles now covered my wallet, driver's license, chap stick (essential), and the few other odds and ends in my purse. (note: at this point, Chris would be happy to tell you there are more than a "few" odds and ends in my purse!)
I looked at the brown box, now looking not-so plain and ordinary; covered with sparkles. The ribbon still adorned it, and it suddenly hit me how similar I am to this simple brown box. Many times, I feel plain- ordinary, as if I'm nothing special. Although I have had a fair amount of life experience and accomplished most of the goals I have set for myself, I still tend to see myself as ordinary. However, as the box did, I have a special gift inside-waiting to be revealed. Something special, something unique.
The Lord is the one who places that gift within us. Even more- He is the sparkly ribbon around us making us beautiful, desirable, extraordinary-and even... contagious. Just as the ribbon adorned the box, He adorns our lives with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He makes us beautiful in His sight when we desire Him. The magnificent symbolism between the glittery ribbon and the Lord, is that He completely covers us. The evidence of the ribbon was all over that box and had even spread to new places- unexpected places. Sparkles covered my hands as I unwrapped the ordinary brown box- now looking extraordinary.
At one point in our lives, each of us feels like the plain, ordinary- no so special brown box. Choose to remember that he has placed the thimble- the special gift inside of you and He covers you in extraordinary beauty. He is the ribbon that adorns our lives.
Our family is full of traditions. Special markings to look forward through as you journey through life. This particular tradition takes place when a girl in our family gets engaged. She is given a thimble- yes, like the one you sew with. Why a thimble? In the 1800's, the end of the thimble would have been cut off and given as the engagement ring. I like this tradition. I knew the thimble was coming, and I was excited about my new rite of passage. (note: I'm sure Chris would have preferred buying me a thimble instead of the gorgeous diamond ring I got. :)
When we arrived at the restaurant to meet Nana, she handed me an ordinary brown box tied with a silver sparkly ribbon. I carefully untied the ribbon, and as I did the glitter from it started to fall off. It was on my pants, on the seat underneath me and on the top of the box. It's kind of like one of those cards you get for your birthday- after you read it, the glitter seems to stay on your hands for days, reminding you of the sentiment. My Nana explained to me that she deemed the ribbon necessary, as the box was just so plain.
I was too excited about the thimble to think anything more about the glittery ribbon or the ordinary brown box, until I later pulled it out of my purse. Sparkles now covered my wallet, driver's license, chap stick (essential), and the few other odds and ends in my purse. (note: at this point, Chris would be happy to tell you there are more than a "few" odds and ends in my purse!)
I looked at the brown box, now looking not-so plain and ordinary; covered with sparkles. The ribbon still adorned it, and it suddenly hit me how similar I am to this simple brown box. Many times, I feel plain- ordinary, as if I'm nothing special. Although I have had a fair amount of life experience and accomplished most of the goals I have set for myself, I still tend to see myself as ordinary. However, as the box did, I have a special gift inside-waiting to be revealed. Something special, something unique.
The Lord is the one who places that gift within us. Even more- He is the sparkly ribbon around us making us beautiful, desirable, extraordinary-and even... contagious. Just as the ribbon adorned the box, He adorns our lives with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He makes us beautiful in His sight when we desire Him. The magnificent symbolism between the glittery ribbon and the Lord, is that He completely covers us. The evidence of the ribbon was all over that box and had even spread to new places- unexpected places. Sparkles covered my hands as I unwrapped the ordinary brown box- now looking extraordinary.
At one point in our lives, each of us feels like the plain, ordinary- no so special brown box. Choose to remember that he has placed the thimble- the special gift inside of you and He covers you in extraordinary beauty. He is the ribbon that adorns our lives.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Demanding.
Our days are filled with demands. Demands of time, money, attention, etc. Of all of these, sometimes the toughest for me to relinquish is my attention.
As a fifth grade teacher, ALL day long my students are calling out-trying to gain my attention. "Ms. Schnoor, may I use the restroom?" "Ms. Schnoor, my pencil broke." "Ms. Schnoor, I'm cold!" My finger hurts, I have the hiccups, I'm tired, my dog is sick...
Attention, attention, attention.
I try to choose wisely whom I do and do not give my attention to. Some students get no attention at home, and therefore will go to any extreme to receive my focus. My response to their cry for attention usually is not that of patience and love. Usually it's an eye roll, a sigh, or a frustrated teacher saying, "what now?"
By the end of the day, I am spent. I have no more attention to give anyone. All I want now is a little attention for myself in the form of a foot rub, a hot meal and a little caffeine.
As I sit in my room at the end of each school day, the school's janitor, Mr. Bean, comes in to "clean" my room. He pulls out his overused mop, and a clear bottle filled with a mysterious brown cleaning solution. (I'm not sure what cleaning solution is brown. To me, brown liquids = mud.)
Mr. Bean is large man, with a lazy eye and very few teeth. As he scantily sweeps the floor and cleans the toilette, he rambles on to me about it being too cold outside, which school gate needs to be opened at what time, and the joys and calamities of his new house. Mr. Bean is another person who is demanding my attention. Each day, I zone out of his one-sided conversation after about five minutes, and give a rote effort to appease his demand for attention with an occasional "uh-huh" or "oh yeah?"
Next, I pile bags of papers, which will demand my attention later on, into my car. I sit and soak in the warmth as I sigh deeply. Another day is finished. I'm a day closer to summer- when the only things that will demand my attention will be projects around the house, books, lunch with friends, trips to visit family, and the occasional photo shoot.
As I commute home, I have 50 minutes to enjoy the quiet, attention-free atmosphere. I begin praying and soliciting the attention of my King. The One who never minds my wanting His attention. As a matter of fact, He relishes in my calling out to Him. The funny thing is, my demands are equal to that of my students. "Jesus, help this driver to stay in their lane!" "Lord, please let it warm up outside soon..." and sometimes even, "Jesus, please help me to find a place to stop and use the restroom!"
Even when my demands are bigger- involving health, family, money, or my heart's deepest fears, He listens attentively. In my classroom, I have 20, 12 year olds calling my name and I respond with frustration. He has all of the 12 year olds in the world calling His name-along with everyone else. Each time, He responds with love. He encourages my frustrated heart, calms my deepest fears, and leads me one step at a time. There is never a moment when I am alone, or when Jesus deeply sighs and rolls His eyes while saying, "What now, Kristen?" Instead, He welcomes me into His arms once again.
I'm thankful that I have His attention.
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