Fairness

What does it mean to be fair? I teach my students three different types of fairness. The first is when the winner gets the trophy. The second is when everything is equal, such as when we tell them to bring in a Valentine for each of their classmates. The third is we all get what we need, equal or not. The low kids get more help.

God's view of fair doesn't always match ours. We can't understand his sense of fair, because we are limited to only human understanding.

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Start Here

Do you ever just need a starting point? Sometimes we know what the end goal is, but we don't know how to begin. I know I want my house clean and ready for Christmas, but knowing how to begin is daunting.

When trying to lead a Christian life, Romans 8 is a great beginning point. As I read it today, I am further convinced that Valley Mission is where my energies should lie. However, I kept thinking things like, "After report cards are finished," or, "After those two articles get written today, if I am not too tired."

It seems like good intentions won't be enough. I need to schedule a time to gather the items to give away. That is my beginning point.

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

The Difference in a Week

Tuesday night, not too long after my last post, a first grader from my school was taken off life support. The doctors told his mother there wasn't much else they could do for her little boy.

While many of us celebrated our Thanksgiving meals, she sat with her family missing her youngest son.

Yesterday in church, a family spoke to us about their upcoming mission to West Africa. They are asking for money so they can afford to move there permenantly.

I sat in my seat and asked God if there was something I was missing. My life is comfortable, but I came to church yesterday angry with my husband. I was feeling sorry for myself and the burdens placed on me. The answer from God was clear. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and make something of this life.

When my husband got home from work, I tried to talk to him about what happened at church, but he didn't want to talk. He wanted to sleep on the couch and nurse his cold.

My journey through the Bible in two years will take me more than two years. That is obvious now. In fact, this journey may be taking me for a ride throughout the rest of my life.

I have decided upon a local mission to devote some energy to. A local shelter runs a thrift store. All proceeds benefit the shelter and residents can shop with vouchers given by the shelter. I am cleaning house and delivering a load to the thrift shop.

I also am interested in helping by either shopping or volunteering there. I just don't know how to make it work yet.

I have decided that I have a bigger purpose than my everyday life. I need to get up from my comfortable "woe is me" place and move. Will I go to West Africa? I don't know! But I WILL do something!

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

A Different Life

If you could have a different life, what would you choose? Would you choose more money? How would you use it glorify God?

I read Romans 5 today. It is an eye opener and solidifies my belief that Christ died for me. He knew who I would be. He knew my faults, and He died for me anyway.

Who else would lay down their life for you, knowing all of your mistakes and darkest secrets?


Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

More About Abraham

As a child, I remember singing the song, "Father Abraham." I thought he had lots of children by the song. I never understood why I was one of them.

Yesterday, we had a member of our church deliver the sermon because our minister was out of town. He talked about Abraham's strength and courage to follow God. Romans 4 tells us that Abraham was not saved by his good deeds. He wasn't valued by God because of his circumcision. He was saved by his belief in God.

All the great things we do are in fact great. We do our work to glorify God. However, we are not saved by those acts. We are saved by the grace and mercy of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. To understand this more, check out Romans 4 for yourself!


Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Back in the Saddle

Okay, friends. How many of us fall short of the Glory of God??? Yep! All of us. All of us screw up. Our true character is not whether or not we fall short. It is whether or not we jump back into the saddle and try again. Romans 3 tells us to not give up on the ways of the Lord. We are to keep trying.

There are many things that overwhelm me. Work, housework, parenting, being a respectful and caring wife, carrying this child to be born in spring, all overwhelm me. The trick is to not give up. Take baby steps and do all things for God's glory. Remember, with God's strength, all things are possible.

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

The Faith of Hannah (cont.)

Hannah's blessings continue as she delivers three sons and two daughters! Yearly, she takes clothing to Samuel, who is now destined to take over the Levites' role of head priest.

Hannah sings a song of praise that matches what I read in Romans 2. Who are we to judge? I admit that I am often judgmental. Today, let's try not to judge others!


Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.