Great news and what's next

Dave was offered and accepted a job!!

And we get to stay here!!

To say I'm excited is putting it mildly.  We get to stay in our house, at our church, close to family, surrounded by friends, at my job.  We get to stay!  You don't know how much you love something until it almost gets taken away from you.

We have lived here for the past 13 years.  It is home.  It is the longest I have ever lived anywhere.  It's where my children were born and raised.  And I LOVE it!!

It also made me realize even more how blessed I am in my job as an elementary music teacher.  I have not taken my job for granted in the last three years that I've had it, and I just don't think there will be another teacher in Madison City as excited as me to show up to Bob Jones High School for that first teacher day this year!

So, we're settled in here.  Gonna stay in our house for an indefinite amount of time.  We had tried to sell it and rent it but neither worked out, and I am truly okay with that.  I love my house.  We love our church.  Our friends.  Our family.  All the comforts of home around here.

What's next for me?

What do I mean, you  might ask.

We're staying, and I am thrilled.  Now what is my purpose here? 

I used to compare myself to others all the time.  Okay, let's be real...I still do.  But I really used to compare myself and my work for the kingdom to others' work in the kingdom.   I haven't given up my house and moved to the inner city to help the poor.  I haven't given up my job and all my possessions to go minister to those in need.  I haven't traveled to Africa and adopted 13 kids.  So, is what I have done and am doing good enough?

Not good enough for God to love me.  Don't misunderstand me.  I know that my works do not determine His love.  But am I living up to my full potential as a Christian and working member of God's army?

I do know that my home and my children are part of my mission field.  And I truly believe that my school is another huge part of my mission field.  I can't overtly teach those precious kids about Christ, but there are definite things that I try to do to have a positive, spiritual affect on them.

Last night our lesson at church was on our talents and how we're using them for the kingdom.  It's a lesson I've heard many times before, but it really got me thinking.

What are my talents?  How can I use them?  What am I scared of?  Where am I being lazy?

All questions I am pondering at this time for what is next for me in my beautiful life here in Alabama!

Just keepin' it real.