Big Shadows

I've been letting my worries get the best of me.

I'm trying hard not to, but it's been bad lately. 

And it's almost like God was trying to say, "Dylan, what have you learned about worrying?!"

Because, I am reading "Live Loved" by Max Lucado as my devotional right now, and last night, the subject was worry.

This line by Max especially struck me: "Worry gives small problems big shadows."

Dylan, what are you worried about?

I'm worried about going back to school. I know it seems strange, especially since I am not leaving for over another month, but it will creep up sooner or later.

I'm very much looking forward to student teaching and seeing my friends.

I'm not looking forward to being back in the presence of my enemies. And I'm afraid of what steps they're going to take next. Here, I'm safe. At school... Who knows what action is going to take place next.

I'm also afraid that being back with them, and in an environment of stress and pressure, I'm going to take a step backward. I know it might be unlikely, but I still can't help but worry.

And it seems like the last few days, I've been living in a big, deep dark shadow. A deep dark shadow that has left me afraid, questioning, uncertain, and somewhat unhopeful.

It's kind of ironic, too, that tonight I taught about God's protection.

I brought in a cup of water and my children and I tried different ways to split it in half.

I told the story of Moses leading the Israelites through the parted Red Sea.

Then, I read the story called "The Kissing Hand"

We talked about how God gives us a kissing hand, and made our own from God.

We take them with us to remind us that God protects us from whatever we may face, just like He was with the Israelites.

Next, my puppet friends joined me and we talked about things that the children are afraid of, and then the puppets shared what they were afraid of.

In the end, we realized that Jesus is our rock (Psalm 118:2), and we have nothing to be afraid of. We are well protected. God protects us.

God is not only sowing His seed into the hearts of children through this VBS experience, but also me.

When the children so confidently responded, "We don't have to be afraid because God protects us!", my heart was touched. And the big shadow of worry subsided.

Whatever happens when I return to school... I have God's kissing hand. I am well protected!