For most of us the summer is winding down and we are starting to get back to the normal day to day ritual of work, church, and school. This can be a positive or negative aspect of our life. In my life for example it is both. I’ll start with the negative.

Nicole starts back with school this week which means she turns into the spawn of Satan. Just kidding on that one. It does mean that she becomes a bit more stressful because she has 20+ six year olds wondering when the next bathroom break is and if they can sit upside down in their chair while blowing bubbles with their chewing gum. With that case she still does a great job in the classroom. On my part it means that the students at church can become less in tuned with the what is going on and become more in tune to what is going on at school. Though my responsibility is different than Nicole’s it still has similarities.

With Nicole she is required to teach the students a certain curriculum that the state requires. If she does not teach that curriculum (to the students’ understanding) then the students’ performance on the quarterly testing will show that. This means that she will be “viewed” as not doing her job. With myself, I in fact are doing the same. I am required by God to teach the students a certain curriculum that God requires. If I do not teach that curriculum (to the best of my God given ability) then the students’ performance in life may show that. This means that I will be “viewed” as not doing my job.

Both require great work, but come with great blessings. (The positive is next) There is almost nothing else that makes me as happy to get to lead someone to Christ. To my amazement God has allowed me to do this a number of times this past year. God has also allowed Nicole and I to minister to a great number of different students since last school year started. In Nicole’s classroom she is able to share with some of the students because they will ask her about her church or about my job. In my ministry I’m able to share with lots of different folks because of my position as Youth Pastor.

As it has been for the last few years we try to relax when both of us are home together after the “hard” days at work. (We really don’t have it hard at all compared to others) I have learned from the book The 5 Love Languages that one of Nicole’s love languages are quality time. This meaning turn of the T.V., put up the computer and video games, and sit down and talk…….Oh how every man loves that. I on the other hand really do not mind it because we get to talk about the future, about our day, and about the great things that God is doing in our lives.

In all actuality going back to normal really isn’t all that bad when you take into consideration all the blessings God has given you.

Keep fresh and make Jesus Christ a priority,
Chris