Bless Other, Keep the Peace-Life Lessons

Yesterday in my sermon I was reminded of some Bible verses I read long ago, but I needed to hear again. In Romans, Chapter 12, It says to Bless those who persecute us. Those who know me are aware that there are a few power seeking people at my work that thrive on persecuting others to assert their power. In my role as Grade level leader this year, I am an easy target to do this to. This year I have an awesome Grade level. We are all very different. We have different methods, we have varyng years of experience, and our life experiences have been very different. We are everything you would think would not work, but it does. Those of you who do not work in a school-you must do everything with your grade level. If there are issues-it will run into your classroom, personal life, and more and suck the life out of you (been there). I am here on the greener side of the pasture this year. With that said, life would seem to be pretty easy at the job. My team ROCKS!!! and I got a good class (intellectually)-emotionally is a different story-.
But there are a select few in the realm of power that are intent in making my life a living hell. So I took this Bible verse to heart. I mean-I simply cannot wrap my mind around loving my enemy. I know Jesus did this, BUT he is Jesus (I am wayy worse than him). I do think I can bless those who persecute me-maybe I can pray for them, mayble I can give them a pick me up, or a simple have a good day. I can do this and I started my efforts today. Other verses to mention in the same Bible section brought some COLD HARD realities to me. Keep the harmony ( I don't always have to prove that I'm right). It is better to just move on and keep the peace. There is SOOO much to be learned from the Bible. What I keep finding out-I have heard these verses before-but this is just the RIGHT time in my life that I need them. I started this blog-for those who could use the same things I am benefiting from. p.s. I have time to blog-but there is no time to proofread..

I see the light

For those who may not know (I am sure everyone does) I majored in Psychology and have a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology. I say everyone knows that about me because I have a knack of finding a way to squeeze that in. This may seem hauty to some, but if you know where I am coming from you might understand. If any of us know where others are coming from we do understand more. I come from a poor family. My mother had 4 kids on her own and went to college at 28 and finally graduated in her 30's with her teaching degree. I got pregnant with my daughter when I was 16. So this would seem to be the same road I was headed down. People in my small town predicted I might even be the manager at Sonic one day. I had so much to prove to the whole world. I had two kids by the time I was 19. My mom didn't even have her 1st until 21, so I was on a roll. Given my traumatic, abusive, neglectful, loveless childhood, I was naturally drawn to Psychology. When it comes to the fact that I graduated College at 22, my mother said to me how it was hard to be proud for me, because it sends the wrong message to my little sisters (you can get pregnant at 16 and still do something with your life). The statistics remain-2/3 of pregnants teens are on welfare for at least a decade. Then I went on the get my Master's degree at 24. I never know if all of this was for the wrong reasons, but it was my degree. I tried to counsel people in the world, but I realized that I am way to screwed up to help others. I still have all the baggage that that wonderful childhood left me. Before you say it, I know, it is the past and you have to move on from that. I myself have sat there for hours everyday, client after client, telling them the same thing. Helping them work through all their issues. Sooooo I have heard it all and I am saying it is so much easier to say then do. Now I am a teacher. I love it. I have the oppurtunity to be there for other kids going through the same things I went through. I am in a good place now, serving a purpose for others. I have come to realize that all the horrible things that I have endured help me to help others through the same things. I can look back at every soldier I counseled or ever juvenile delinquent I helped and see that that is so true. Now, I am helping those 4th graders that need someone to be there for them. How ironic, I landed at an elementary school in which a large majority of students have 3 or more siblings. I am so fortunate to be where God wants me doing his work-in the public school. I am thankful to wake up each day knowing I am serving a purpose in this world. I am happy to see the light-it is the best way to move on from all the pain.