Advocate

Back in October the local Anglican church had roofers come in and put new shingles on this heritage building. It’s the oldest church here in our city. Isn’t it a charming little church?

Recently my thoughts gravitated towards that new roof and how sometimes life can let in a lot of rain. This is when a good roof is so important. Yes, our foundations must be strong or we’ll be washed away in the storm, but the roof can leak too as shingles wear over time or come loose under a lot of weather. 

These last several weeks college has been like that for me. I feel as if the roof has been leaking. Actually, life has been letting in a lot of rain for a long time now. But the foundation that my life is being built upon is still strong. So, thus far I’ve survived the troubles. I’m still standing in the rain. 

Give Credit where Credit is Due

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

 1 Samuel 7:12 

Advocate

Since I’ve begun this new path towards becoming an Early Childhood Educator the word advocate has become an important part of my vocabulary. ECE’s are encouraged to advocate for themselves to gain the respect, the pay and the benefits that this demanding career is due. We are also encouraged to advocate for the importance of play. It’s through play that a child learns and develops important life skills, like cognitive skills, gross motor skills and fine motor skills, social skills, language and vocabulary, and emotional development. Furthermore, through play children find relief from life’s storms. Play is also so important for adults, and we don’t play enough. 

The Bible also teaches us much about advocacy. God calls us to advocate for those who can’t speak for themselves. As I think about those who can’t speak for themselves I recall my baptism. It took me years to take that plunge. I was so afraid to get up in front of the church because I knew I wouldn’t be able to speak. When I did decide I needed to just do it, I still knew I wouldn’t be able to speak. Our pastor knew it to. He made it easier for me. He did most of the speaking on my behalf and then asked me the important questions. To these questions I gave short replies. It was an awkward moment for me, but with that help I was able to accomplish the thing I wasn’t able to do on my own.  

And so because of this gratitude for this firm foundation I’ve found in Jesus, I also advocate for God Himself and a life in Christ. He is not only our firm foundation and our help in times of trouble, He’s also our shelter in the rain. He calls the believer to advocate for His kingdom and to not be afraid or ashamed to mention His name. He calls us to put His Kingdom first and assures us that all things will be provided–that is, all things that we need to live, to do our work, and all things according to His will. He never promised it would be easy, but He did promise that He would be with us to the end of the world. 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirt and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20 

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PRAYER REQUESTS:

I have an important deadline to hand in my immunizations form coming up on the 23rd of December. (Needed to recieve my practicum!)

There were some miscommunication that delayed my shots. I still have two more shots coming up on the 16th of the month and a form that must be signed by my doctor. Please pray that there are no delays and that everything will be handed in on time with no last minute surprises! I’ve had a lot of them. Learning online is not the easiest means of communication or learning : missing emails, missing textbooks, misscommunications, computer glitches, wifi issues….. gremlins and lots of school work! You get the picture!

Please also pray for my continued studies and financing. Grants and bursaries would be nice to help with the student loans! I still need to figure out how to apply for the bursaries for this course. Your prayers would be SO very much appreciated.

God bless and keep you. 🙏

Tina