Day One Do Over

Second Day. Hopped in my cozy, already defrosted car as a result of my thoughtful morning preparation. That same focused preparation that yielded me a perfect turkey sandwich in my lunch bag, missing the turkey. That same diligent focus that found me at my training site (the school where I go for evening exercises) rather than my field experience site (at the local high school) at 6:30 a.m. How did that happen? Well, at least I was on time somewhere.



Frustrated and planning my re-route, I glanced at my dashboard and my Tire Pressure Indicator glared back, the orange glow taunting me, knowing I can’t get anything checked out until Saturday, nor can I afford to pay for any foul play at this time anyway.

Good thing my devotional had prepared me for the day, with these words:

Learn to appreciate difficult days. Be stimulated by the challenges you encounter along your way. As you journey through rough terrain with Me, gain confidence from your knowledge that together we can handle anything. 

Yes. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In fact, knowing this I was far less stressed (note: still stressed) getting to my field site late and learning that my co-teacher and I had been reassigned to a different classroom. Day 1, Take 2...but this was far less victorious.

Sparing the details of my day, let’s just say I left school and headed to evening training feeling confused, inadequate and deflated. Rather than let satan run with that, though, I tried to rest in the fact of where I was is where God works best. At this time, I am completely out of the way so He has room to work in and through me.

I once read (I believe in Mark Batterson’s The Circle Maker, but don’t quote me) that if your dream makes sense or if it isn’t terrifying, it isn’t big enough. Check.

Though my dream seems to be way bigger than me, I smile because my God is way bigger than my dream. I can’t take all the credit for that perspective, though.

After my amazing boyfriend graciously allowed me to ruin date night letting me sulk, nap (mind you, I didn’t even get home until 7:45p), and vent, he gave me the best advice:

“Here’s what we’re going to do….[super long, dramatic pause]….get back up.” 

Say what? It’s not that simple. I need tangible, practical advice to take back into this classroom where I have about 4 out of 30 students who are either compliant or smaller than me, but never both. He let me argue out all of the frustrations satan was using to distract me from God’s purpose and simply responded with, “You got this, champ.”

He went on to give me more inspiring wisdom, reminding me of my vision and God’s purpose (and promising me a weekend at Biltmore when I'm done with training). Again, I found myself overwhelmed in gratitude.

Grateful God chose me.
Grateful God loves me.
Grateful God is with me.
Grateful God gives me only one day at a time, and sometimes I even get a do over.


What is your terrifying, “bigger than you” dream?
Who is in your corner, supporting you, praying for you, loving you?

Thank God for them today, then go and thank them.