He's Alive!

"Goodnight teacher!" 

Little Leah walks toward her apartment building and I turn up the hill to cross the street and find refuge in my own apartment.   This day has stretched out more than others and the shouts, screams and chaos still swirls around in my head.  Student fights, parents upset, and accusations of teachers not doing their jobs.

Just 8 hours before, I walked through the school and God's presence was so strong.  He spoke that His favor on me, and I almost couldn't stand for the weight of that grace beyond measure.  I claimed His favor for me, for the other teachers, for our boss and for the students.  I know that His grace is far more abundant than even that.

A different weight settles on me as I make my way upstairs.  This one carries the fragrance of death and not the fragrance of life.  I slowly muddle my way through the dirty dishes in the sink and manage to make myself a sandwich for dinner, but nothing pushes away the heaviness on me.

Checking email, facebook and blogs only serve as a distraction.  I open up my journal and begin to jot down a few thoughts.  Clarity comes slowly;  mistakes happened but I can stand to fight another day.

I had put on some music in the background and as I pray, it pushes itself to the foreground.  And the weight begins to ease.

Death where is your sting? Grave where is your victory?  He's alive... now I will never die.

The resurrection power of Jesus is on me.  I chose to die to myself, that Jesus may bring His life in me.  That is what I carry in with me everyday.  And while most days feel like a warzone instead of a classroom, He's alive and I never have to accept the death that comes with words of condemnation.  I can rise to go in and fight with all the fierceness of the Spirit, giving all I have to what I am doing.

Even more so, I find the refuge with my Father.  He washes away the remnents of the daily attacks of the Enemy and I see more of His fullness than before.  His life multiplies and His love revives me.   

No fear of death...no fear of sin binding me to the grave...

The only death God asks of me, brings life to me and to others...and tomorrow's another day to carry Jesus and His resurrection with me.