Goodwill Archives - Tabetha’s Devotions

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.

I am sorry today is so short and sweet, but my teaching life got in the way. I had parent/teacher conferences which means 12 hours at work drive home and be back in less than 12 hours. YUCK!

The glory spot of my night was two families that I have been with their children for three years. The boys have grown into some pretty awesome young men. It is always funny to see them come in as Freshmen and watch them grow up before your very eyes.

Anyways, these families make me feel like I can walk on water. They always have. Tonite was different though. One of the dads looked at the other teachers and told them, I was more than a teacher, I was family. The other dad from the other family looked up and said they would have never made it through high school without me. I have been their lifeline.

I am not trying to pat myself on the back here. I was speechless and teary-eyed. With the ins and outs of everyday life as a teacher, you often wonder if you are really touching anyone’s life. Then a parent comes to you and says something like this. For a moment you realize your life does have purpose.

Thank you, Lord, for letting me have glimpses into the good I have done. Thank you for having a plan for me. A plan to prosper me. Please continue to use me to bring a little light into my students’ and their families’ lives.

Luke 1:78-79

78 All this will be because the mercy of our God is very tender, and heaven’s dawn is about to break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, and to guide us to the path of peace.

I know it is not Christmas, but today’s tragedy reminds me of a Christmas song, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. It is hard to hear peace on earth when hate is so strong. It was bad enough when the shots were fired. However, the hatred that followed from my fellow Americans from both sides is more than I can handle.

There is no reason for anyone to be shouting out anything buy prayers and love right now. However, open social media and all I see is arguing over gun control. I don’t care which side you are on, this is NOT, I repeat, this NOT the time or place. Hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth goodwill to men.

My only light is my hope and faith. To all of the doctors, nurses, police officers, EMS, firefighters, blood donors and the heroes who had no regard for their own safety and reached out to help their fellow man, I want to say thank you! Thank you for proving God is not dead, nor does he sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, goodwill to men.

The following are the original words of Longfellow’s poem: that inspired the song:

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,

and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,

And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;

“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

Tag: Goodwill

Future and a Hope

Like this:

Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men

Like this:

Thanks For Sharing!

Like this:

Thanks For Sharing!

Like this: