I am a forever learner and I thoroughly enjoyed being back in school. Although it was an online class, it still felt good to be reading books, writing papers, and participating in class discussions.

I learned a great deal and I’m slowly trying to implement what I learned into my classroom. Now that student teaching is over, I’ve taken on two more classes of my own. I teach Economics/Personal Finance and Street Law in addition to Yearbook, Reader’s Choice, and English 12. FIVE PREPS! Am I crazy? Perhaps.

But I thoroughly enjoy teaching and feel I am participating in what God has called me to do. I love my students and it is an honor to be a part of their every day lives.

So many changes in my life these days. I’m learning a lot about myself. The mistakes I’ve made. The masks I’ve warn. The pain I’ve stuffed. The secrets I’ve kept. All of my students deal with these issues too. It has been my hope to help them live authentically as I try to do the same.

I listened to Brene Brown the other day and she reminded me that empathy will help kill shame. I’ve carried a lot of shame in my life. And those people who chose to be empathic and not judgmental have made the most impact on my healing journey. So I try to live an empathic life toward my students and toward those who come to me with their pain.

I’ve read the most amazing books in this season of my life, now that I have time to read for myself instead of text books. I hope to begin to blog about the books and how they have impacted me in this season of my life.

I hope you will join me on the journey to wholeness as we each move toward a life that is honorable. Even if our past is full of less than honorable seasons, God sees us as honorable and loves us anyway.

I want to be that kind of person toward everyone in my life. Even those who judge me or who have hurt me. What good is to to live otherwise?

Peace is my word for 2019. Let’s all seek peace with those who cross our paths. Even if we don’t agree with their opinion. Even if they aren’t that nice to us. But let it not be peace at any price. Let it be peace that comes from knowing who we are in Christ and not allowing anyone to treat us any differently than like the daughter of a KING.

May the peace of Christ be in your heart, soul, and mind every single day.

Gigi

Jesus spoke these amazing words just hours before His crucifixion. His peace isn’t dependent upon external circumstances, but rather, it transcends them. Although He gives His peace to every believer as a gift, our experience of it is related to our faith in the following truths:

God is in control of everything. Without this assurance, the world is a scary place.
He loves me and will see me through every circumstance, no matter how difficult or painful it may be.
 To have Christ’s peace, I must surrender my life to Him. When I hold onto my ways and plans, I’ll experience turmoil.
 I have a limited perspective and understanding of my circumstances and God’s purposes for allowing them. His goals for me are greater than my immediate comfort.
 The Lord promises to work all things out for my good. He is continually working to transform my character into Christ’s image.
 I must live in sync with God, walking in the Spirit and promptly confessing and repenting of sin.
Scripture is my foundation for peace. It increases my trust in the Lord’s goodness, assures me that He keeps His promises, and reminds me of His sovereignty over every situation.

Sadly, many Christians live their whole lives without consistently experiencing this incomprehensible peace.
Perhaps faith and submission are the most challenging issues.
But only as we surrender control of our lives to Christ and trust in His plans for us will we discover tranquil rest for our souls.

The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Are you stressed out? Worried sick? Worn out? Just plain tired?
I feel that way during seasons of change. It takes me awhile to adjust.
But then I remember to rest in assurance that God will give me rest when the world wants to hand me turmoil.
 

With rest comes peace.
With peace comes joy.
My worry for the future is given over to the peace giver.
Then His power flows through me and the peace flows like a river.
The Bible tells me in Isaiah 30:15 that “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.”
Quiet confidence works for me.
How about you?
Today I’m praying that your weary soul will find rest. In Him.
God Bless Your Heart,
Gigi
https://gigimurfitt.com/
I am thankful for the way this book has guided my daily quiet time. It seems to be just right for the season. The idea for this blog post came from my devotional journal titled God Calling by AJ Russell published by Barbour Publishing. This blog post was transferred from my other blot and was originally written 9/15/2010