It was the worst of times...it was the best of times

I don't remember where that quote is from, but if you do...let me know. For right now it perfectly describes my week.

The week started off great with a day off and the debut of Martha Stewart's new show. I now know how to properly fold a t-shirt and make scambled eggs. The week was down hill from there.

It was the first time that I actually considered quitting my job and looking for a new one. I was already practicing the phrase "Would you like to supersize your meal."

This week was one of the most trying weeks I have ever had in ministry. I lost several teachers which made our total number of openings 13 in the children's ministry. I had a confrontation with a teacher and I had to make some very hard phone calls to parents this week.

Here is where the best of times comes in.

1) Many people, especially my husband and fellow staff rallied behind me and encouraged me immensely. They prayed for me and with me and truly helped me carry this burden.

2) The elders at my church, stopped their business meeting and laid hands on me and prayed for me last Wednesday.

3) It's now Friday and the storms are calm and I feel God's presence. After each hard phone call, I felt Peace.

4) I feel like I have grown as a leader.

I have fallen in love with my job again...most importantly, I have felt the love of God again.

The Lord also uses a couple of little girls to minister to me.

Everyday when I drive my children to school, we pass two little girls waiting for the bus. Every morning they try to see how many cars will wave at them as they pass. I always make sure I wave at them really big each and every morning. They begin to jump up and down and become really excited. Today, as I was driving to school, it was pouring the rain. I knew that the girls probably would not be outside waving at me today. To my surprise ...they were...with their umbrellas. The Lord reminded me that in the midst of a storm...there is also joy.