Sometimes God has this way of putting me in my place.
I am a planner, an over-thinker. I read into situations and I generally like to feel very in control of things happening in my life. I know that trusting God is an important thing to work on as I grow in my faith but there is a difference in knowing this and doing something about it. You see, things have worked out pretty well (and gone generally according to plan) without putting my full trust in God. I am absolutely aware that it is only through God that I have the ability to make choices about where and how I will use my time and gifts. But it still is a challenge for me to completely surrender my naive notion of self-determination.
This fall I began my fourth year of university studying Education. I had put in a practicum placement request for an inner city/alternative education setting months back thinking it would be an amazing opportunity to be challenged. I received word of my placement in June, and needless to say, it was basically the opposite placement of where I had requested. I have ended up in a Grade 2 classroom in a private Mennonite school. I knew that I had to make a attitude adjustment and go into this new school year with a positive attitude, but just couldn't shake that feeling that I should be somewhere else--this wasn't how I had planned it!
And then I began my practicum. And it was like God was saying, "See, I told you so." I had underestimated how much I would value being able to contribute to and take part in a Christian environment. In many ways, it reminds me of camp--staff prayers, worship time at chapel, devotions. But it is also encouraging to be surrounded by a group staff who are actively living their faith, which reminds me to constantly work on deepening my own. It was a humbling reminder to discover the lessons, gifts and fulfilment I would get out of this practicum yet had not even really wanted in the first place.
God threw this curveball into my well thought out plan. And I was reminded to loosen my grip on control, because sometimes these unplanned detours can teach us a lot!
I hope you are all enjoying this advent season!
Kate McIntyre.....SLT Director 2010
This fall I began my fourth year of university studying Education. I had put in a practicum placement request for an inner city/alternative education setting months back thinking it would be an amazing opportunity to be challenged. I received word of my placement in June, and needless to say, it was basically the opposite placement of where I had requested. I have ended up in a Grade 2 classroom in a private Mennonite school. I knew that I had to make a attitude adjustment and go into this new school year with a positive attitude, but just couldn't shake that feeling that I should be somewhere else--this wasn't how I had planned it!
And then I began my practicum. And it was like God was saying, "See, I told you so." I had underestimated how much I would value being able to contribute to and take part in a Christian environment. In many ways, it reminds me of camp--staff prayers, worship time at chapel, devotions. But it is also encouraging to be surrounded by a group staff who are actively living their faith, which reminds me to constantly work on deepening my own. It was a humbling reminder to discover the lessons, gifts and fulfilment I would get out of this practicum yet had not even really wanted in the first place.
God threw this curveball into my well thought out plan. And I was reminded to loosen my grip on control, because sometimes these unplanned detours can teach us a lot!
I hope you are all enjoying this advent season!
Kate McIntyre.....SLT Director 2010
posted by CwM Summer! at
10:19 AM
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