More than Unbroken

Graduations, end of the school year, and the start of summer has me feeling nostalgic, so I thought it would be a good time to just pause and remember.     As a teacher, I am in a unique position to say goodbye to students every year, which is difficult and sad. But most teachers, like me, are also brimming with excitement for the next chapter in the lives of those we teach.  My students (they will always be my students no matter how old they get) come back and visit, and that makes me so happy. I love getting to see them after they have moved on.   This year has proven to be the most interesting and difficult I have endured in the profession in my 11 years. We welcomed students at a distance. Everything was so clinical at the start of the school year. For our school, thank goodness we had such measures in place. When managing 1,200 students, there needs to be a plan, and we worked together to execute the plan.  We lost people we loved. I watched students lose f...

  Okay, it’s confession time. I’m a theatre nerd. This may come as a shock to you, but musical theatre lyrics run through my mind constantly. I can probably respond to most conversations with a show tune, but time with my close friends and family has shown me that this isn’t the most effective form of communication.   That being said, I’ve been thinking about a theatre exercise for improvisation. It’s called “ Yes, and.” The concept is relatively simple. You are in an improvised, or unscripted, scene with another actor (or actors), and you simply keep the scene going by responding with a “yes” and then offering the next line for the next actor to respond to. You always agree with “yes.” The “and” provides the acting team with another bit of information to keep the plot going. You NEVER disagree with the actor’s line before you. This would bring the scene to a screeching halt.  How many times have you said “yes” to something? My real question is how often do we say “yes” t...

re·​store | \ ri-ˈstȯr ( transitive verb ) restored; restoring 1 : GIVE BACK; RETURN 2 : to put or bring back into existence or use 3 : to bring back to or put back into a former or original state : RENEW 4 : to put again in possession of something I’ve been thinking a lot about this word. It’s powerful. Just consider the definition.  Imagine for a moment that you have a priceless heirloom that is no longer in production. Suddenly, the heirloom is ruined, stolen, or misplaced. Unfortunately, many who went through Hurricane Michael can probably identify with this. Now, imagine that you are wandering through a thrift store and you just happen to see your priceless treasure! It’s in terrible condition, but you lovingly take the time to put it back together piece by piece. It’s one of a kind. Special in so many ways. You are overjoyed to have found it and take such pride in showing it off when company comes over because of its special meaning. You tell everyone the story of this restor...

  So honored to be their mom... Happy Mother’s Day to all the... Moms who are raising their children. It isn’t always easy, but God gave them to you because you are the best one for the job. Moms who have children in Heaven. How amazing that your child gets to sit in the arms of Jesus. And I can’t help but believe He’s telling them all about you, and they can’t wait to see you one day when you join them. Moms who are waiting anxiously on their child to arrive. You aren’t sure how it will happen yet, but when you feel discouraged, remember that God is for you. And you are in good company waiting on a promise from God. Moms who gave birth to a child and blessed a family with that child. You are brave and strong. Your gift to your child is the ultimate blessing. Moms who never grew a child in their womb, but grew then in their heart. What a beautiful picture you are of the love of God and His adoption of us into His family.  Moms who have children who are all grown up... we still...

 I know this word came from God today, and I was too excited to wait until the weekend to share it! Enjoy the latest installment of “Finger Revelations,” and I hope it ministers to you. ©  Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries. All rights reserved.

Confession:  I'm not the most patient person when it comes to getting things completed.  When there is something I want done, I want it finished right away.  Probably most of us feel this way.  In my case, it's genetic.  My grandmother is a go-getter.  When she gets ready for something to be done, she would rather figure out a way to do it herself rather than have to depend on someone to do it for her.  And I get it, because I'm the same way! This thought process isn't always how God works, though.  One of the things Pastor Chuck used to tell us was "never pray for patience."  God won't just hand out patience, but He will give you opportunities to use patience!  It's sometimes humorous to think about the times that God has stretched me in "the trying of my faith."  I've recently found myself in another moment of "letting patience have its perfect work, so that I may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James 1:3-4) What I...