I Sensed a Change Coming

but I had no idea what it would be.  In retrospect I believe the Lord has been preparing me for this next phase.  There is no place I would rather be than in the scriptures lately.  My eyes and my mind and my heart have been especially receptive and I have felt a deeper understanding which has been coming more easily.

But wait!  What about all my luxurious free time?  What about setting my own schedule, and my own hours, and wearing my pajamas until noon if I choose?

I have been asked to teach Released-Time Seminary at South Salem High School.  Again.  I think it has been about ten years ago that I did this before.  Then, I had four children at home, in elementary school, Middle school, and High school.  I taught all day, every day.  I taught Old Testament and New Testament.  When I wasn't at the school, or taking care of my patient family, I was studying and preparing for the upcoming day.  Exhausting to even think about it.  BUT what an experience!  Where I lacked, the Lord certainly made up the difference.  It may have been one of the most selfless times of my life.  And I definitely was blessed for it.

But wait!  I am an empty-nester.  My husband is about to be released from his bishop calling.  I have already been making plans to visit my children in college.  I have already been researching new parts of the world that I want to visit. 

Teaching Seminary was a rich experience.  I was impacted by an amazing group of young people, many of whom still desire to call me their facebook friend.  I receive wedding invitations from all over the country from these wonderful friends.  I learned how to rely on the Lord.  I learned how to teach with minimal preparation, putting my trust in God, having faith that he would help me know what to say and how to say it.

Okay.  "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  (2 Timothy 1:7)  My buddy Paul gets it.  I need to replace the fear with faith, and the Lord will bless me with the power to organize my time and my life; he will bless me with love for a whole new group of young people (please let them like me, please let them like me),  AND he will bless me with a sound mind to know how to relate spiritual things to youth that live in a scary world.

We are never asked to run faster than we have strength.  My energy may need a boost, but my testimony is sound, my faith is strong, and my love of the scriptures is overflowing.

And I'm pretty sure the Lord will help me find time to finish my book....