So Truly Be Glad...

"So truly be glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold- though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."   1 Peter 1: 6-7

I love these words that God spoke through Peter in a letter. Last year, I clung to these words- day and night. I'm pretty sure that if you hung around me for more than an hour, I somehow brought these verses up in conversation. That's how much I loved and still love these words written by Peter. God reminded me of these beautiful words that have meant so much to me over the past year while talking to a friend this past weekend. I remember last year, at this exact time, beginning a journey that was a complete leap of faith. I was an unemployed, single college graduate. Now, that was never MY plan in life.
But God.
Two beautiful words.
But God- Our God who is so rich in mercy; One who loves me, no matter how undeserving I am, He had an even better plan for my life.
God promised joy ahead. Today, exactly one year after beginning my journey of complete faith, I see now more than ever that joy. Joy in Serving.
God knew what He was doing when He made me wait a year to get a position as a 5th grade teacher at Moselle Elementary. Never in a million years did I ever see myself teaching 5th grade. But God. There are those two words again. But God brought me to it and today I realized why. This morning, I was sitting at my desk preparing last minute things for the day, minding my own business, when I heard a co-workers voice at my door, "Miss Easterling, Can you come here for a minute?" Now, if there is ever a sentence that I do not like to hear, it's that one. My co-workers get a kick out of my "Oh no, what did I do now?" face when I walk towards the "meeting grounds". This morning was different though. The voice, demeanor, everything. So I did, I went into the next room with my fellow 5th grade teachers for a minute and what happened next was a "But God" moment. We prayed and wept over our students for not just a minute, but for a many minutes. A prayer of thanksgiving for God trusting us with this wonderful group of students, a prayer for their safety, a prayer for their lives away from school where we keep a close watch on them.
I've heard it said before that the biggest ministry opportunity is found at school, but that was always heard during a sermon to youth. I never took it to the context of a teacher to his/her students. After beginning my career, I've realized how much of an opportunity I have to be a role model. One that shows love. God's love. Love that is patient, kind, not irritable. Love that never gives up, never loses faith, and is always hopeful. My prayer is that myself and other believers use the description of the attitude of Christ found in Philippians 2. That we are humble and take interest in others instead of ourselves. My heart longs to comfort my students. I've been known to say more than once about a few students, "I just want to take them home and bake cookies with them." I pray my students know they are loved. Not only by me and the other 5th grade teachers, but also by our Heavenly father.

Thank you, Father, for this joy ahead. This joy in serving that allows me to truly be glad. Thank you for testing my faith and holding my hand through all the trials. Thank you for the perfect plan YOU have for us that exceeds our own plan.