Persevering!

Our latest baptism service

Yesterday I needed to get some film developed.  I had taken pictures of my students  a while back and I had told them we would make identification cards.  This was something we were doing to help us understand the concept of baptism and identifying with Jesus Christ.  On Saturday I had planned to make an outing of the film developing and shop a little with a friend while we waited for the developing process.  Well, when we got there, we walked because it is close, we discovered that the store was closed.  So no I.D. Cards for the kids on Sunday but we enjoyed some ice cream at the local restaurant.

Then on Monday I was at the store bright and early once again to get my film developed, only when I pulled the camera out to develop the film there was no SanDisk.  Someone had been doing a project and had not put it back. So yesterday I went again, I even checked the camera to be sure the SanDisk was in it this time.  Unfortunately, I set the camera on the counter in the kitchen just before I walked out the door and arrived at the store without the camera.  By this time I wondered if God wanted me to develop those pictures.

Identified with Christ

So back home I went to get the camera.  Fortunately I was driving this time and the traffic wasn’t too bad and the store was rather near.  This time I paused to give the traffic policeman his tip that he had longingly looked at me for.  I will discuss that in another blog.  The standard “tip” is worth about 55c.  Then on to the store.  I always cringe because there is always a store worker that stands over me as I work to develop film.  Sometimes he is helpful but I do like my independence.  He did help me get the pictures down to passport size.  Then as the pictures developed I ran over to the grocery store and bought a few needed and wanted things.  Lays Potato chips were on sale so I stocked up since Lydia needs lots of snack food for after school play practices.

Glad to have the pictures I returned home with plenty more work to do.  The pictures have yet to be mounted and laminated but the project is ready to go.  

One of our Sunday School Kids watching the baptism

Sometimes small projects lead to big projects.  Sometimes I wonder if I really am just not supposed to get everything done that I think I should.  When is it Valerie’s idea and when is it God’s idea?  A favorite verse of my husband’s is Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  God has work for me to do.  There are times that work gets blocked for some reason or another.  Yet God doesn’t want me to quit, He wants me to press on and complete the work that He has for me.  That work can be something simple like preparing a meal for company or something more difficult like standing by a cranky, stubborn child until the work is done.  James tells us, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”  God has work for us and He is ready to reward us with something much more exciting than that piece of candy I give out in Sunday School.  So keep pressing on!