The First Day (#jammed daily devo, day 164)

Posted on June 13, 2018

June #jammed: Under the Blanket of Grace.

Day 164: Grace welcomes.

“Let the little children come to Me.” Luke 18:15

Lockers lined the hallway to the classroom, math lesson in session, and the wave of a teacher ushered me in with instructions for me to help a new student take a placement test. She couldn’t remember what the name of her last school was, but we laughed as she recalled the new process of all of her brothers and sisters to school that morning.

Knowing I was only to read the questions and let her answer, we laughed as she tried to squeeze a little more information out of me. After a guided tour to the drinking fountain, she was a little less scared of the first day in a new school, and off to fit in with the rest of her classmates.

Later in the day down a different hallway in a different classroom, a teacher placed a little hand in mine. “It’s his first day …make sure he gets to this bus.” That little boy squeezed my hand all the way down the hallway, gazing up at me for a reassuring giggle about something, to take his little mind off of how nervous he was.

“It’s his first day,” I passed on to the bus driver, who smiled and nodded.

Today’s verse gives us a peak into the compassion Jesus had for children. He shows us how important it is to take the time to love on them and listen to them. If the King of Kings and Savior of the world made the time, we know we should, too. There is much we can learn from children. And I’m with Jesus on this one. Bring on the kids. They are fun and innocent, they challenge us with questions and look to us for leadership. What a privilege it is to point them to Him by means of little love, listening and kindness. Child-like faith is fun. Laughing with kids …that’s got to be my favorite. From Pre-school to High School, substitute teaching has been one of the funnest side-jobs I’ve had.

What began as a little extra provision has blessed my heart. When I show up for the day, waves and hugs come at me from all sides, and I enjoy every bit of their craziness. Their smiles make me smile. And I believe, He smiles, too.

Father, Praise You for children, and thank You for teachers. I confess my lack preparation to fill their shoes for a day, and pray you bless each classroom I have the chance to visit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace!

#greatgrace17

Happy Substituting,

Megs

Get the #jammed Daily Devo sent straight to your inbox each morning, by subscribing to Sunny&80.

Category: Christian Living, jammed daily devo Tagged: #greatgrace17, smiles, substitute teacher

The Little Hugs (#jammed daily devo,day 287)

Posted on October 14, 2017

October #jammed: Free Grace.

Day 287: Small but fierce.

“I took a moment to take it all in.” Proverbs 24:32

Little arms outstretched and wide-open smiles of excitement always greet me when I
substitute at the local elementary school. The feeling is mutual. There’s so much to learn from little people. It’s no wonder God tells us to have faith like a child.

It’s easy to forget the spark of Light that gave us life. The Father that knit talents and strengths into the core of who we are. We are tempted to assume accomplishment for our life’s acheivements in a jaded and entitled society.

In today’s verse, Solomon is talking about a field that he has passed. Good soil, that hasn’t been cared for to produce the potential it is capable of. We, too, become satisfied with what we can do and account for.

But, we’re sent to love …and love is a verb. It requires us to work with our gifts so that we may be in the position God purposefully placed us to be …an extension of love to the people He’s placed in our paths. What are we doing with what He’s given us?

I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw. Proverbs 24:32

There will never be a time when there’s nothing left for us to learn. God’s Living Word is endlessly teaching us, because each day brings a different challenge or triumph for Him to walk us through. Setting Him aside as if there’s nothing left to learn is like taking the groceries out of our car and throwing them right in the trash …as if there’s no use in walking out the steps in between.

He is life, and He’s given a piece of it to us so that we may love Him back and seek His presence. No matter how many meals we waste, He’ll embrace us. Jesus made that possible on the cross. It’s never too late to start working with what He’s given us. It’s never too late to open His book. It’s never to late to pray His Son into our hearts.

Father, Praise You for little people and the lessons their hugs seal in our souls. Thank You for the endless opportunities You give us to be forgiven through Jesus’ death on the cross. Forgive us for taking credit for the life You’ve woven into the threads of who we are. Bless us to get up and follow Christ, so we may see and know the good plans You promise for our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.