an unexpected gift

Do you ever have those weeks where they feel like they have lasted a month? Well, this is how I have felt this week. It has not only been emotionally and mentally draining, but I think I have just reached my breaking point in how exhausted I am. Sometimes I am so very thankful for how busy I am. I am one of those personalities that likes to throw myself into things and likes to be busy (even though I am sure I am complain about it at times...maybe too much). Here lately I think I have been on overload, though. Work has been absolutely crazy, and as much as I love my girls, it is getting to that time of year where the holiday season looks beautiful because it is time for a break for all of us from each other. But, it is also playoff season. Playoff season is dreaded. Not because I do not want my school to do well, but because it is trips taken that are far away from home in which we do not stay the night (which I am glad) but rather ride on a bus to and from these events and do not get home until super late. Then after this we have school the next day and usually still have cheerleading the next day. Needless to say, I get to see a lot of Texas during this time, and although it may be fun the first trip, it gets wearisome after the first longer-distance trip to cheer a game.

This week has been emotionally exhausting for many reasons, some not all bad, but I think when you add all of this emotion into you being so exhausted and quite frankly a little overworked, you (I) get into a place that is not the best. Today I had the thought that I am not that nice of a person when I am exhausted and don't feel well. (Oh, yes, I have been running a 100 degree temp the past few days too! Oh, the weather this season;)) ALL this to say, I wanted to share an encouraging tidbit with you. Not a depressing ones even though it seems that I have just complained for a couple of paragraphs. I do not think I have blogged about this, but I had a student whom I love that through a series of events in which I will not talk about on here, was incarcerated. I love this kid, and it was very sad to see some of it go down as well as hear about a lot of it. This week, I got a letter from him...from prison. Some people might find it a little crazy that I got excited about this, but this kid remembered me enough to write me a letter!? He started it out with "Well, Miss. Kep, I never thought I would be in this type of situation that I am in. I remember one day after class you pulled me to the side to ask me about my situation or what not. It was nice to know you care." He goes on to tell me has 2 to 25 years. He told me he wrote me to say thank you and then he started in on a book he had read while in prison and that I should read it and even gave me the summary (the kids know where to get me...reading;)) but in and out of the letter he talks about how he realized he shouldn't have been into what he had been into and about his court dates and how jail is not fun. He then wrote "Miss. Kep, right now I wish I could be sitting in yo English class laughing at you telling a joke that probably wasn't funny. Just playin, but for real Miss. Kep, will you pray for me?" I share this because for me it was encouraging. Not encouraging in the sense that this baby is in jail, but encouraging in the sense that even in my worst weeks when I am feeling tired, or overworked, or see some hard things and have to make executive decisions about them, God is good to remind me that he is gracious enough to let these kiddos know I care. Even in our worst weeks, even when there does not seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel, my Lord is so gracious to remind me that He has me where I am for a reason. He has put me in this specific spot for a reason. I may go through hurt, sadness, even times where I just do not understand why I may be put through something, or why my sweet babies have to go through hard situations, but HE is GOOD. He has a plan. I mean, who would have thought I would get a letter from this kiddo?! And he asked me to pray for him? I just think my God is so good. Even in the sadness, or when I have had emotionally draining weeks in which I cannot fathom to take one more thing...he sends me gentle, sweet, and profound reminders of how good He is and how He has got me right where He wants me.

Praise his name.