The Prodigal Daughter Returns

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." 1 Peter 5: 7, NLT ---- I decided to leave home around 3.30pm, which would give me enough time to get to my destination by bus. I checked the bus timetable and it said my first bus was due in about 5 minutes. Although it takes about 2 minutes to walk to the bus stop, I decided to leave immediately in case the bus arrived early. As I was approaching the bus stop, I noticed lots of school kids waiting at the bus stop and a huge traffic jam. That's all I need!  I had forgotten that the local school finishes around this time. I'm going to have to catch the tube now if I want to arrive on time. I had the thought to walk to the previous bus stop, but I wasn't in the mood. When I expressed my disappointment with a woman at the bus stop, she said you should always leave before 3pm to avoid the school kids. When the bus arrived, I did manage to get a seat. At the tube station, I had more than enough time...

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22: 6 ----- I was chatting to a friend about when I used to work with young kids at primary school. I said I would teach them about, say, the importance of sharing the football. They would seem to take on board what I was saying. The very next day, the kids would  be fighting again over a football and I would have to repeat myself.  I had to keep repeating myself over and over again.  It was exhausting. I realised that must be what it's like being a parent.  My friend, who is a dad, said  haviing children involves repeating yourself over and over again. That's the only way they learn. It got me thinking about our Christian life. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, your spirit is now one with Christ. However your mind remains the same.  In other words, you still have the same old wordly beliefs, thoughts and experiences of the non-believers. You ha...

When I was in primary school, I hated needlework. When I became an adult, I realised sewing by hand is a great skill to have. I can sew back buttons, darn socks, mend holes and hem my trousers, which I had to do today. Grateful. 🙏

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way." Psalm 37: 23 ---- When I got on the bus, I sat next to this woman who had a lovely smile. I smiled back at her. After having a chitchat about the weather, she asked me if I was on my way to work. I said yes. She asked me where I was working and I told her. I then asked her the same question.  She told me she worked as a deputy headteacher at this SEN (special  educational needs) primary school. I told her I used to work as a supply TA (teaching assistant) at primary schools, but I haven't returned this term as I've decided it's not for me, though my agency is not yet convinced. We chatted about the education system and the lack of resources.  I told her  I usually pray before I go to work and I used to get good results with the SEN pupils I worked with. The next time I returned  to the school and saw the same pupil, they would have reverted to their former behaviour. I said the educat...

"They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." John 17:16 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12: 2 --- When I told my flatmate, who is a school teacher, that I was booked at a particular secondary school, she warned me it was one of the worst schools in the Borough. As I was only going to do lunch cover, I didn't mind going there. After I got dressed, my stomach started churning and then hurting. It felt like I was getting a tummy upset. I wondered if it was the prawn sandwich I ate. After I paid a visit to the loo, I wasn't feeling at all well so I called my agency to let her know I couldn't go in.  She asked if there was anything I could take so I could still go. She sounded more concerned about her contract than my wellbeing.  I certainly wasn't about to tell her that I was going to meditate on Psa...

"The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." Psalm 24: 1 "The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; but the earth He has given to the children of men." Psalm 115: 15 ---- While I was supervising some 3 and 4 year olds at the playground, two boys ran up to me Boy 1: Miss, he won't let me play with the ball!  Boy 1 was pointing at Boy 2 who was hogging the ball. Me to Boy 2: Does this ball belong to you? Boy 2: No, Miss. Me; Who does this ball belong to? Both boys: The school. Me: Which means? Boy 2: We have to share. Me: Good boy! Now go and play with the ball, together. The boys ran off. I noticed boy 2 had now dropped the ball he had been hogging and boy 1 was now hogging it. 😀 Adults can learn a lot from the way kids behave in the playground. Like the toys at schools which are meant to be shared, earth, which belongs to God, has been given to His chldren which they all have to share. At least, that's the theo...

Lovely service today, but I spent most of it assisting at Sunday School.  😊❤️ I learned something new today at Sunday School - FROG. Fully Rely On God I even took notes. I reckon I'm going to be getting a lot more out of the Sunday School teacher than the kids. 😀❤️

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15: 1, NIV ---- Two days ago, while I was helping to set up some tables in the After School Club, I injured my thumb. I quickly prayed about it so I didn't feel any pain, but I could see the area was turning black. I was annoyed at myself for not being careful. In the school playground, we teach kids to be gentle and kind to each other while they are playing. I need to take that on board and be kind and gentle to myself. Thus morning, when I put my laptop on to watch God TV, there was a programme on for kids called "Cheeky Pandas" about gentleness with the verse from Proverbs.  I ended up watching it. I knew it was the Holy Spirit bringing that to my attention. As you can see from the photo, my thumb is healed, but there is a scar there as a gentle reminder. Holy Spirit, help me to be always gentle like Jesus in my thoughts, words and deeds to myself and others. ❤️

"Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18: 2-3 ---- Today's questions by curious pupils from the Reception class (aged between 4 and 5): Miss, why have you got hair like a boy? Because I'm a girl with short hair. Miss, why is your hair orange? Because I love my hair orange.  I just love how curious kids are at that age; and they're not afraid to ask the hard questions.  😊❤️

Today I'm working at a Christian school I like and near a park I love. Perfect match! ❤️ How refreshing it is to be in a school where the kids pray when they come in, pray before they have lunch and pray before they go home!  How wonderful it is to go into a school staff toilet and see "God loves me" written on the mirror. That's why I love workimg at Christian schools (regardless of denominationl, as long aa they are open to the love of Jesus Christ. God loves me. ❤️

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4: 8 ---' In a classroom of 3 to 4 year olds I was working at today, one girl kept staring at me with such pure love and wonder with a gentle smile. I don't remember everyone gazing at me with such love and wonder, not even my mum. The girl had an identical twin sister who was sitting on the other side. Whenever she looked at me, she also had that look of pure love. There were other kids too who gazed at me with love, but they weren't as intense as that girl. Those kids remind me of the way God sees me with pure love. By the way, I was wearing a top with the word "Love." ❤️

Another day, another new school! This is my 20th school since I started working for this teaching agency last October.  Every time I work at a school, I make notes to remind myself how my day went and whether I would return or only return when hell freezes over. 😀 So far, I've only worked at 4 religious schools: 1 Jewish; 1 Catholic; 2 Church of England. The rest are secular. I don't mind working at secular schools here and there, but not long term, I prefer Christian schools.  I have worked at two prep, independent (fee paying) schools. I like independent schools because the class sizes are a lot smaller than in state schools and you get free lunch. It just shows there is such a thing as a free lunch! 😀 The school I worked at today was close to a park so I went for a walk before I started work. I was glad I did.  Nuff said! 😀

At the Reception class I was workimg in (where the kids are aged between 4 and 5), I had the following conversation.  Boy 1: Miss, are you his mum? (Referring to his classmate, Boy 2). Me: No, I'm not his mum, we just have similar skin colour. Boy 2: You look like my mum. Me: Really? Does she have a similar skin colour? Boy 2: Yes. Me; Is her hair short like mine? Boy 2: No, her hair is really long, but her hair is fake. I burst out laughing. Kids around that age have no filter. They just say it like it is. 😀❤️

This morning, as part of my prayer, I thanked God for His unmerited, unearned and undeserved favours. I was booked at this school today. While I was having a break at the staff room, I noticedI I was having problems accessing the Internet. A colleague told me they usually had problems with accessing Wifi in that part of the building. During my lunch break, I decided to step out of the building to check my phone as I didn't want to miss out on important emails or texts that I needed to respond to. I noticed a text from an old friend. He said he had a spare ticket for this evening to see this Funk band at the Jazz Cafe. Did I want to go with him? I told him I would love to and we made arrangements where and when to meet. Thank you, God, for Your unmerited, unearned and undeserved favour manifested as this gig at the Jazz Cafe.  I look forward to receiving more of Your favours. 😊❤️ Here's a video clip of me at the gig.

 "...each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them." 1 Corinthians 1: 17 "The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing." John 6: 63 (NLT) "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'” Matthew 9: 37-38 ---- Christians are not all called to be apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists, teachers or to only do church duties. Scripture  tells us that Christians are called to live as believers wherever they are. I don't believe working at schools is my calling. I was curious to work with kids as I've never worked with them before. As someone who has never had kids, I get to experience what it's like to be a mum.  Since I've been working with kids, I've discovered that I am very good with children not because of my charm ...

Two days ago, a boy I was working with at this school had been very disruptive and taking his anger out on his peers and teacher.  I have been  secretly praying for him. I have also been thanking  the Holy Spirit for being with every pupil and member of staff. Today, while I was supervising kids in the playground at the same school, I heard someone shouting  "Miss!"  It was the boy from two days ago.  He ran towards me and gave me a hug and I also gave him a hug. There was another boy who had been sent to the quiet room because he wasn't listening to the teacher and was distracting other pupils. The next day, his teaching assistant was off sick so I covered her job. Although I had to keep reminding the boy to focus, he was good as gold and he did most of what was required of him. Thank you, God, for Your constant Grace. ❤️

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139: 14 ---- This special needs boy I was working with for the first time kept staring at me. After a while, he said, "why have you got big lips?" "Because that's how my lips were made, just like you have blond hair and blue eyes." He seemed to accept that explanation. At least my full lips are natural and not man-made. 😀is 8i I give thanks for my full lips, which are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. ❤️

I've been reading a book called "The Case for Miracles: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Supernatural" by Lee Strobel. In the book, one professor the journalist interviews affirms "“It looks like God is still in the miracle business!” I have also been praying to experience God's miracles in my life. At the school I was booked at today, I was meant to cover a particular year but the manager put me with two special needs kids who were very challenging. As always, I thanked God for working through me. In one class I was working in, a pupil was called Miracle. She wasn't the challenging one though, thank God! 😊 My God is a God of miracles  Thank you, God, for constantly working Your miracles in me, through me and for me. ❤️

While I was supervising kids at the school playground, a boy kicked a ball in my direction. When I kicked the ball back to him, it felt like I had just kicked a rock and my poor big toe was in agony. The trainers I was wearing were cheap logo free ones that I bought for filming, as supporting artists/extras are not allowed to wear clothes or shoes with logos on set. They definitely were not made for kicking footballs! For the pain, I quickly reminded myself of my identity in Christ. After repeating to myself that "I am spirit" a few times, the pain dissolved. Later, I told a boy I had kicked a ball and I found it very painful. How do real footballers do it? He told me footballers wear trainers with steel toes. Now he tells me!  😀

"For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself." Romans 14: 7 ---- Teachers are on strike again today and next Tuesday. When teachers are disgruntled and go on strike, other parts of the system are also affected such as: - pupils who miss out on teaching; - parents who have to take strike days off (paid or unpaid) to care for their kids or pay for childminders;  - staff who support teachers as they have to take time off unpaid;  - agencies who supply teaching staff; - public transport as there will be less people travelling.  I'm sure there are others I can't think of right now. Thank you, God, for a speedy resolution to this dispute in Jesus name.❤️