DIAMONDS!

What I find  interesting about diamonds though is how they are made. The process of bringing them from rough rock to sparkling diamond is intense. Through heat, intensity and refinement they are formed into magnificence. Intense pressure changes the molecular structure of the carbon found on the earths mantle and the carbon becomes a new structure. Under extreme pressure and temperature, the carbon eventually cools and becomes diamonds.

God has been speaking to me about this process a lot lately.  A lot of people have tough jobs but I personally have never taught a class with this many multi-varied learning/social-emotional needs.  Teachers have told that I have the hardest class in the school for multi-level reasons. I have started learning how to deep breath at the end of the day. I have been enjoying the arts, walking the dog and herbal/vanilla/honey tea. If I had an amazing boyfriend I'm sure I would want to cuddle every day after work to de-stress and thankfully thankfully more than anything, I have God and prayer. Knowing that we can talk to God and He wants to take our burdens and speak into our lives is the best of all. I joke about the other things, but what brings me the most peace and joy is walking with God, talking and listening to Him and worship music. Eternal God is always and will always be the only one who "takes all our cares and burdens". 1 peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you".

God has been speaking to me while walking the dog.  He said it's easy for people to be calm and loving while at a peaceful bible study drinking tea, with candles and baked goods. I believe God was saying... after the tea, candles and baked goods...what happens on Monday morning when running late for work, stuck in traffic, a parent is upset, the kids behaviour is off the wall... are we still in worship?

The day before I may have been raising my hands and my heart fully in awe of God. Receiving His love and there was so much love all around it was amazing.  That needs to transfer into every day and moment of the week. 

I believe that one way God makes our character more like His is by allowing stress, refinement and fire in our lives. This directly hits our character. If I can go through the fire being honest with God, praying and seeking His face, praising God, remaining in His presence, then I will come out like a diamond. By diamond, I mean "more like His son, Jesus."

So I'm happy to announce that I'm in the fire this year in my classroom.  I'm so excited for the diamond ...or to be more radiant like Jesus on the other side :)