When I journal, I usually just start talking to the Lord.  Like any relationship, some things are important, or even desperate on my part, while others are inconsequential.  I know God hears me and listens, but sometimes I feel like we get into a regular conversation and those conversations often relate to my people. Could it be my imagination? I suppose it could be except for the peace and the comfort I receive. Do I believe? Yes, I do because I trust in Him.

My people are very very important to me and many of my conversations with God are about those I love. Prayer is the very best we can do for those we love.

From the journal . . . . March 2000

“For the Lord is Good.”  I like that song, but I don’t like the chant, “God is good! All the time.” Reply:  “All the time. God is good!”  I love the truth of it, but I guess the togetherness of it bothers me. In the sixties I liked to consider myself a non-conformist. Yet, I adore You, Lord, and more than anything I want to be conformed to Your image.  I love You and You are always good. 

2 Cor 3:18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.

God, why do I call You good?  You are so far beyond good!   ‘Perfect’ is the best I can say or ‘beyond perfect’ is more accurate.

Lord, I like talking to You like this.  Late at night and alone.

And I Believe God Said:

I like this too. 

You are working hard at school, but you are worrying hard too.  Trust Me.  Lean back. I’m here to hold you.  Satan can’t get at you because you are yielded to Me, and I protect you.  Don’t ever be intimidated.

2 Thes 3:3  But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

Fight for My kids.  For Korri, Avery, Khiree, Deon, Lindsey, Alaric, James, Chantella, and Elora. I have good plans for them. I want you to pray for them and speak blessing to them. Don’t let up.  Yah’driel, Talisha, and the rest of your students.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

^{Num. 6:24-26}‘May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
²⁵ May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
²⁶ May the Lord show you His favor
    and give you His peace.’

Jesus, You have given me my classroom and my students. I know they are Yours but somehow for this season they were put in my care.  I give them back to you.  I will care for them and teach them how You want me to.

That’s right but remember you are fully armed and protected because I am a shield about you.  You may go into the fire and arrows may be shot at you, but I will be at your front and back and left and right.  Nothing will harm you because I am surrounding you.  Rest in that.  I’ll let you know when to be bold.  Don’t go before Me.  Wait for Me, but be bold in prayer and in testimony.

Psalm 91:9-11 If you make the Lord your refuge,
    if you make the Most High your shelter,
¹⁰ no evil will conquer you;
    no plague will come near your home.
¹¹ For he will order his angels
    to protect you wherever you go.

Psalm 3:3-6 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
    you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
⁴ I cried out to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy mountain. 

⁵ I lay down and slept,
    yet I woke up in safety,
    for the Lord was watching over me.
⁶ I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
    who surround me on every side.

Thank You Lord. You are so precious and faithful.  All of these years You have never let me down. I have never needed to be ashamed.

Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

How awesome You are!

From the beginning of my teaching career the Lord has always emphasized that I’m to be praying for my students, daily and by name.  The September after I retired, I wondered what to do. I had no new classroom with students to pray for.

I believe the Lord showed me a way to continue praying for all of my students.  I had saved all my classroom pictures, so every two weeks I take one school year and pray for the students.  It is a good thing to remember that every student I’ve had and prayed for during their time with me is still very, very important to God and I may be the only one praying for them.  As I said before, I believe prayer is the very best we can do for those we love! So do it!!