This week we had school two days, Monday and today (Friday)...although today was a two hour delay. Snow is almost a curse word down here to some at this point. Oh...and the forecast for this weekend and next week...snow! Monday is supposed to be a teacher in-service day, but that is even questionable if we get more snow.
Well today was a whole lot better than Monday! Thank you for those who prayed! I was prepared for the next academic day, but I wasn't that prepared to throw a Valentine's party. However, things quickly fell together with Donna (teacher friend next to me) and I ordering food and making many quick visits to our War stores during our lunch and planning periods. I had only eleven kids today, so we all had a blast reading about "Norman Nogg's Valentine" and celebrating the L-O-V-E with pizza, cupcakes, and lots of sugar. I remember that Valentine's Day was probably my favorite day in school as an elementary kid. I LOVED making my shoebox and the anticipation of "secret admirers." Oh and wearing lots of PINK of course! Today since my kids didn't have time with the snow to make boxes, we made bags...yeah...I made one, too! :)
So today I was reading in Isaiah 61 and have a lot of thoughts. I really really like this passage. If I could sum it up in a phrase, I would say, "Hope because of God's justice." Being blessed to experience a good deal of the world overseas, when I hear the word "justice" I also think of "injustice." I see the precious faces of the little children in Burkina that work hard and long hours to have a few scraps of food instead of attending school and having a normal childhood. I see the face of the Ache man who strives to love his family the way God intends even though he doesn't have the Bible in his language yet. I also imagine the faces of those in Haiti that have lost everyone and everything they love and are expected to go on. I have asked so many times, "why God?"
Tonight when I was reading this chapter from Isaiah, I was reminded again that I need to focus not on "injustice" but "justice." God.
"For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them....and all who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed." --Isaiah 61:8-9 (italics mine)
This chapter tells about how God will change their ashes to crowns of beauty. Kind of going into context...Isaiah was prophesying about this happening when the Messiah would come. Well, in Luke 4, Jesus reads part of this on a scroll to the people and then He tells him that this has happened...because He is the Messiah. He has ALREADY come! Hope is here NOW! And...He is coming again!!!!!!
Like I mentioned earlier, my mind goes to overseas a lot, and I must admit that I sometimes forget look to those nearest to me. Since I have been in West Virginia, God has been revealing the huge need for "justice" right around me. When I read this chapter, I now also see the people of War. "The poor, those in darkness, the brokenhearted." I see the face of the kid that saw his dad kill himself...the family that longs for the father to return...the little one that doesn't know why she has to smell funny compared to the other kids. Yes, these people need to know that justice is coming and that hope is here now! Then, there is the challenge that Isaiah presents...that the Lord has called him to tell about God's justice to these people. How will I respond?
Sorry this is long and probably just seems like I'm rambling...I might be. But, I want to share what is on my heart. So...sometimes even when you are on this side of hope...that you know it is real...you question the WHEN??! I do. When God will you come again and make the wrongs right? I want to end with a song that we sang while I was at Taylor.
It is called, "HOW LONG" by Al Gordon
How long 'till I gaze upon your face?
Gaze upon your face, gaze upon your gaze?
Jesus we will gaze upon your face in the morning light
How long 'till you wipe these tears away?
Wipe these tears away, wipe these tears away?
Jesus you will wipe these tears away when the morning comes
Pre-Chorus
Yes, I know you will come
Yes, I know you've already won
Yes, I know my Redeemer lives
My Redeemer lives
How long 'till there's justice on the earth?
Justice on the earth, justice on the earth?
Jesus there'll be justice on the earth when you come again
Pre-Chorus
Yes, I know
Chorus
Come, Lord Jesus! We are desperate for you here!
Come, Lord Jesus! All creation calling out!
How long 'till we hear the victory roar?
Hear the victory roar, hear the victory roar?
Jesus we will hear the victory roar when this race is run
Chorus
Come, Lord Jesus! (repeat 3x)
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