I signed my last evaluation of my career today. It was a mixture of relief I am done and weird this is the last one I will ever receive. On the other side of this is the fact that getting old just sucks. I know the saying about growing old graciously but I have to admit this is not going well in my head. I am now understanding how so much screen time is giving me daily headaches. I can feel it behind both my eyes and I am squinting just because my eyes are tired. Making more wrinkles. Not laugh lines, but more like misery lines. I will not miss being required to be in front of a computer screen 5 days a week, so this part of retirement sounds amazing. I think my body knows I am close because I get up to exercise and feel good. Sit in front of the computer and I just feel weighted down. An all over droopiness. Anyone else has a body that just seems to reject going to work. I wonder if it has to do with loving what you do each day? I remember another saying “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Just not feeling this anymore, how about you?
I found some scriptures I have read this morning about feeling exhausted with work. These offer comfort, strength, and purpose. Sometimes we just need a refresher that being human is normal. Feeling how we feel is okay. Anything we are going through can be brought to God."Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28-30).
"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you" (Psalm 55:22).
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak" (Isaiah 40: 29-31).
"The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people"(Psalm 68: 35).
"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint" (Jeremiah 31:25).
I go to school board meetings as they are closest to parents and students' education. I am exhausted as I read on Facebook the threads by different groups complaining, but when there is an in person meeting to give a public comment there are crickets in the room. At times I am the only speaker. Recently, I missed a night and there was no public comment. The room was empty. If all the people complaining on social media actually showed up can you imagine the change that could happen in our educational system. Maybe, just maybe, we could ensure kids can graduate being able to read, write, and utilize math skills. I just want to say can’t complain if you choose not to show up.
Couple quotes here, so if you are a parent of a student in public school do you agree or disagree as these are rampant thoughts:
“Parents do not own their children. They do not get to decide what is best for them, especially when it comes to their mental health and safety.”
“Children are not extensions of their parents. They are independent human beings with their own rights, and schools must prioritize the child's well-being over parental discomfort or ignorance.”
Pay attention to who is influencing the young minds around you, especially when these thoughts infiltrate your home by your own children.
This applies to voting as well. Your influence in the public square matters. I do strive to spread the word of the importance of showing up to vote. There are no excuses to remove yourself from being involved in the political process. Here is why. One of the most popular questions I get is this:
1.We should not be legislating morality:
Answer:
-Every single bill proposed in legislation is passed because someone thought that something was right or wrong.
-Every single bit of legislation is being shaped by someone's morality.
-It is not a question of whether we legislate morality.
-The question is whose morality are we legislating?
***Do not allow the suggestion that we can’t influence morality because we follow the greatest moral teacher there has ever been: Jesus
-If not Jesus then whose standard are we going to use?
“Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech” (Proverbs 1: 20-21).
Prayers and blessings to all. Prayers for healing for those I know are going through it. Blessings to those who are willing to stand up and speak truth when we are bombarded by the harshness of others.
dreamsdontfade.com
Mercy Me is one of my favorites. Such a beautiful song on how I am feeling. Those storms come but look for him in the middle to calm your spirits no matter what you are going through. Let the chorus pour over your spirit.
It's gonna be, it's gonna be worth it
'Cause everything, everything's working
For your good, for your good
It's gonna be, it's gonna be worth it
'Cause everything, everything's working
For your good, for your good
Remind me that this hurricane is nothing but a breeze to You
'Cause I'm afraid that every wave's 'bout to break this boat in two
Oh, Lord, oh, how I need You
Jesus, Jesus, I need You, whoa
I may never know the answers to
How You work, yet You always do
Your heart beats for my good
So my heart beats for Your good
Even when the storm is raging through
In the middle of it all, You prove
Your heart beats for my good
So my heart beats for Your good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GILAi5owXM&list=RD9GILAi5owXM&index=1