Catching Inspiration Through Songs.

    It seems as though I have recently caught a lot of inspiration through songs. Though the melodies are beautiful, the words speak louder at times. They often touch that cord inside so perfectly and complete the thought that God does speak through singing. Maybe you can receive the inspiration I was gifted as well.

    -When there is a slightly rough patch in life and when it seems like there is no sunlight to be seen, a song of inspiration lifts the fog that lays so thick. It is simply a song that is led in church that seems to resonate so deeply. “It’s the power to love. The power to reach out to someone in need. It’s the power to love. The power to conquer a world full of greed. There is no equal on earth below or above. He has the power to love.” 

    -The children titter excitedly when the music teacher displays the song one Monday morning. He blows the pitch and excited voices ring out with the volume and gusto of youth. It is a Sugar Creek favorite. “Whom shall I fear? I know who goes before me. I know who stands behind. The God of angel armies is always by my side. The One who reigns forever, He is a Friend of mine. The God of angel armies is always by my side.” Do they understand what a powerful message they are singing? How often I am reminded that the Friend by my side is truly the God of angel armies. And what a thing to know, that He is always by one’s side.

    -Driving down a long road alone, the sounds of a song drift up from a car speaker, filling the vehicle. “The same power that moves Jesus from the grave, the same power that commands the dead to wake, lives in us… The same power that moves mountains when He speaks, the same power that can calm a raging sea, lives in us… He lives in us.” It seems to instill a strength and comfort for the upcoming weeks with all they shall hold.

    - “The Lord is my Shepherd. I’ll trust in Him always. He leads by still waters. I’ll trust in Him always.” The merry voices of the 2nd and 3rd graders try their best to stay in their round parts. At one point, the first group loses their place, but when we go again, they come back stronger and more confident. It is a classroom favorite this song and they give it all their heart. And a little child shall lead them. Isaiah 11:6

    - It is nearly five o’clock and the Sugar Creek trio hasn’t completed any work in their respective classrooms. “Can we quickly sing a song before we get to work?” We wrangle around a songbook. It has been a few weeks since we have sang together.“Overwhelming sunshine flowed into this heart of mine, and a glorious peace has really changed my mind. Filling every corner where it all had been so dim, I am filled with sunshine all because of Him.” It feels as though truly a blanket of that glorious peace settles over the room. “… now my theme is to give Him all of me. For what is life when I’m alone.” The work load in the classroom doesn’t seem as heavy as before. In the previous estimations of our teacher house, if we were feeling stressed about something, we would sing a song to help ease the burden. It always worked! As one is quoted to have said, “He who sings frightens away his ills.”



    Another quarter of school has been completed. Along with that comes report cards. Starbucks is the place chosen to fill out those white cards in their respective yellow envelopes. Iced drinks are purchased, IPads and laptops are set out, and the yellow envelopes are the predominant object of each of the three round tables. Even though we are supposed to be focused on report cards, we occasionally glance out the windows and laugh at the Mennonite vehicles going by with people we know in them. At one point, a customer approached with a large beautiful Great Dane. The great beast happily devours a “grande” pup cup and sits down happily to wait while his master receives his drinks. It is an enjoyable experience and it is so fun to see some of the grades go up! What a good life the teacher life is! ❥

2nd grade Science class:
    “Have you ever touched a porcupine?”
    “No, but I’ve touch my mom’s cactus.”
    “That could be about the same!”

    “What is the animal that is hunting?”
    “The predator.”
    “What about the animal that is being hunted?”
    “The prey. Pray for the prey!”


   

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