House on the Rock

It was a dismal drive down State Road 32 following the phone call that uprooted my hopes and dreams for the semester. Washington Township Schools, where I had been placed for my first student  teaching experience, has just made the decision to go fully virtual due to COVID-19. Thought not altogether shocking, they were the first in the state to do so and I was devastated. I pictured myself sitting alone in a cold cement basement (not sure whose) desperately trying to scribble on the concrete-wall-turned-whiteboard while my joints grew stiff with Zoom-laden arthritis. All I wanted was to connect with  students and now, my relationships would be resigned to blank stares and black screens. Mourning. I cried a lot of tears in Pastor Terry's office, then my dad's office, then Pastor Jeff's office... (perks of an internship surrounded by trained Biblical counselors) (thanks guys) and felt so angry that God would allow such big dreams to be so suddenly dashed. I hated Zoom. I thou...

"Martha, Martha,"  the Lord replied, "You are worried about many things, but few things are truly necessary - in fact, only one. Mary has chosen what is better. She has chosen what will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42). A guest is coming over today. There's so much to be done. So many things to clean and endless errands to be run. I have to sweep, to set the table, to dust and mop the floor, to fold laundry, to pick up clothes and groceries from the store. A guest is on his way today, I see him right outside - I have vegetables that still need washed and fish that still need fried. My sister should be here to help, today she's quite frustrating. The whole time I've been hard at work, she's been sitting outside waiting. So eager for our guest to come, and yes, I'm eager too - but why won't she just recognize how much there is to do? A guest is making his way in. I am not ready yet. The floor is not quite fully swept, the table not q...