Well, it's official, summer is here! With that comes sweat, stinky kids, heat and snappy bus drivers, lol! The cool days of May are gone and the real Texas summer has begun. Last week will be NOTHING compared to the heat of the last three days of school. But we WILL make it! I can't believe the school year is coming to a close. I don't know about everybody else, but this school year FLEW by leaving me wondering what the heck?! Before beginning the last week of my bus route for this year, I will share a couple of things with you from week 7.
I chose Romans 3:23 for the verse of the week because I have something a little different and special that I am going to do this week and I just wanted to prepare the kids for it. Romans 3:23 basically tells us that none of us are perfect. I wanted to let the kids know that just because I am the bus driver and always seem to be perfect (lol) that I am not. I wanted to let them know that just because they get in trouble sometimes or don't always make the right choices that they are still loved and still have the opportunity to redeem themselves.
The two things that stuck out for the week was little Caden wanting me to read the Bible to him again. He is just so sweet and is always the first to tell me when someone is not acting kindly. He just makes me smile and I wish all of you had the chance to meet him. The other thing that happened was about half way through the week one of the Intermediate boys came up behind me and quoted the verse, word for word, without even picking up the Bible. I was very impressed. He attends Woodland Hills Baptist Church and is a part of their Awana program. The program has kids memorize scripture weekly along with other fun activities. This was a great example of how this program is changing hearts and lives with scripture. No other big things happened like in the previous weeks but it was good. There was not any bad news and I felt like I was still building bigger and better relationships with the kids.
I do have to say though, the heat is about to KILL me! From year to year, I keep wondering how I will make it through the heat. By the end of each route, my shirt is soaked, feet are swollen, no makeup is left, I smell like a dog and my legs are stuck to the seat, lol! I am sure that I am sight to behold. But last week... I was ALSO happy. This is a huge change and I like the new me. I hope that the kids have seen the change and realize that I also have sinned and fallen short and that I am not perfect. However, I am trying to redeem myself for the last few years of not being a good leader, a good example and just someone to talk to. Taking the focus off of myself and onto the kids has made a HUGE impact on my life, my attitude and my walk with Christ. I have had to depend on Him fully to get me through this and He has provided the strength. I am just praying that He likes the heat too because that little fan on my bus is NOT going to be enough to get me through the next three days!
I hope that this weeks blog will be an encouragement to you wherever you are in your walk with Christ. We are all sinners and we all have shortcomings. He just wants us to realize that, pick ourselves up, look to Him, lean on Him and never look back. Take a look in the mirror this week and see what is going on in your life that needs to be handed over to Him. He will meet you there and get you through it as long as you are willing to make the change and accept His love and help. Our God is an awesome God. I know if he can get me through driving a school bus for four years, the possibilities are endless of what He can do in all areas of our lives. Trust Him, listen to Him, and make that change. Your life will be blessed beyond measure.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Note that Touched My Heart
As each route has passed by and days turned into six weeks, my anger has turned into happiness and my relationships with the kids have gone from broken to mended. Last week was the best week of Bible on the Bus so far for me. I had a great week and enjoyed each and every route. I enjoyed talking to the kids and laughing with them. I no longer see the route as something I am obligated to do but rather a privilege to serve God. I am no longer ashamed to tell people that I drive a bus. I know that God has me there for a reason and I am just happy that I have been given the chance to serve Him and that He finally opened my eyes to the bigger picture. This is my mission field that I have been assigned to for now and am so glad that God is using me for His glory. I get on the bus with a new attitude and in response to that, the kids have a new attitude.In a previous post, I told you about a child that yelled out some horrible words on the bus. He got written up twice that week and I had to be very stern with him. I thought he would never talk to me again. However, last Wednesday on his way off the bus he handed me this handwritten note. I was shocked! I had been saying, "Hi" to each student as they got on the bus, talked with them while we were driving home and then said, "Bye" as they got off. I knew that they were responding well to it but this really touched my heart when he gave me the note. He has not been in trouble since I started talking to them either. A little attention goes a long way, especially with kids that don't get any when they get home. Just saying, "Hi", to this child and asking him about his day has made a major impact on him. So much that he took time out of his day, thought about me, wrote me a note and changed his actions on the bus.
I will be keeping this note as a reminder of how I should treat others, not only on my bus route, but at home and everywhere I go. Instead of working on something at home while my kids are trying to talk to me, I am going to stop what I am doing. I am going to look at them and LISTEN to what they have to say. That is all they want, our undivided attention. I have learned a valuable lesson this past week and I hope that I never forget it. I encourage you to stop all the hustle and bustle around you and listen to your children. Sit down and just listen. They need it and so do we. It is making a major impact on them, whether they write you a note or not. They are feeling your love and will love you for it.
I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other. John 13:34-35
Monday, May 16, 2011
One foot, One Day
I have always heard people say, "Do you want the good news or the bad news first"? Well today, you are only getting the good news. This blog is intended to lift you up and the bad news will only bring you down. So why focus on the bad, when there is so much good to tell you about! This past week has been the best of Bible of the Bus, thus far. I went into week 5 with a new attitude after being so tired last week. I made it a goal to greet each child, talk to them about their days, and be patient. So this is how is went...
Each day before they let the kids go or right before I got on my bus, I said a prayer and asked for patience, opportunities to connect and for protection from Satan for the ride home. As I waited for the kids, I sat and talked with my husband about our days and he would just throw something out the window to various bus drivers because he is silly like that, lol! We tooted the horns and here they came. I greeted each kid with a, "Hi!", "What's up?", "How was your day?", "Smile!", or even a "Give me five dude"! They loved it. Each kid responded with a, "Hi Mrs. Sutton", a grin, a giggle or just gave me five. As they all sat down, I got up and went and talked to each of them about their day. We usually have about 5 to 10 minutes to wait before we can pull out and go to the other campuses so I chose to use this time to talk to the K-2nd graders. They were pulling stuff out of their folders to show me, telling me about what they had done during the day or what they were going to do when they got home. They LOVED the attention. This is when I also took the time each day to tell them what I expected of them on the ride. To my surprise, they were very responsive. As we went along to each campus, I followed the same thing with greeting each child. I could not get up and talk to them about their day but I was able to greet each one. EVERY child said something back to me, even the high school kids. I was feeling pretty good about it.
On Monday, the kids read the verse and looked through the Bible as usual and asked me some questions about the verse. Tuesday did not result in anymore questions but it was a good route and lots of good conversations. Wednesday, however, was the best day so far. While we were waiting to head off to Intermediate, one of the boys came up to look at the Bible that had not mentioned anything about it before. After talking about the verse, he told me he wanted to be saved! Then another little boy come up and said the same thing! I was almost in tears. I was so excited. I immediately started asking them questions about where they went to church, did they know what it meant to be saved, had they talked to anyone about it before, and so on. We didn't have much time because we were about to pull out. I had to tell them to sit down and the little boy says, "But Mrs. Sutton, I want to hear more about God". I almost pulled my bus over right then and there but I knew I could not do that. I told him just to sit behind me and ask whatever he wanted. Me and the two little boys had a great conversation and I told them the ABC's of becoming a Christian. They told me that they were going to Awana's that night at Woodland Hills Baptist Church and I told them to find an adult or someone there and let them know what we talked about. I just want to stop right here and give a big shout out to Woodland Hills for their great service in picking these kids up every Sunday and Wednesday night also. Without your service, these children would not be able to go to church! I couldn't wait to get off the bus and tell Jason about what had happened. He said, "Well, I know what you are posting about next week". He was right. I almost blogged about it that day but decided to wait.
Thursday was not as exciting as Wednesday but I greeted the kids and talked with them again. Then here comes Friday! Things were going about the same and I had picked up all the kids. We were pulling up to the Hwy 450 stop and I noticed 4 kids standing and waving at the bus in front of us. They were just being silly, waving at all the kids and thinking they were better for not having to ride the bus or something. So I had a Jason moment and decided to do something a little silly myself. I yelled at all the kids on my bus, "Everybody get up and stick your head out the window and wave at those kids"! All the kids hopped up and started waving and I started honking the horn as loud as I could and waving at these four boys. They looked at us like we were crazy and kinda stopped waving. We pulled out on 450 honking, waving and laughing. It was hilarious. I wish you could have seen the look on those four boys' faces. It was priceless. I bet they wished they were riding on number 7 that afternoon because we were having a blast! It was a great ride all the way home. We talked and laughed. I actually had a fun bus route. Did I just say that?! I admit it. It was fun. So fun, that it was the first thing I told Jason about. I felt like I was finally starting to build some real relationships with these kids. However, I know all that can change when I get on the bus today, lol. But what I do know is that it was a great week.
I saw God move this week on the bus. I can only imagine what it would be like if I had started this four years ago. I decided last week to just put one foot in front of the other, one day at a time and I saw progress. I have to stop wishing my life away and just slow down and enjoy each and every moment. By taking it one step at a time and putting one foot in front of the other, one day at a time, I am positive that I will see God continue to move and won't miss the blessings that are right in front of me. I encourage you to slow down this week, listen to God, and just put one foot in front of the other and see what He has waiting for you to discover!
By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3
Each day before they let the kids go or right before I got on my bus, I said a prayer and asked for patience, opportunities to connect and for protection from Satan for the ride home. As I waited for the kids, I sat and talked with my husband about our days and he would just throw something out the window to various bus drivers because he is silly like that, lol! We tooted the horns and here they came. I greeted each kid with a, "Hi!", "What's up?", "How was your day?", "Smile!", or even a "Give me five dude"! They loved it. Each kid responded with a, "Hi Mrs. Sutton", a grin, a giggle or just gave me five. As they all sat down, I got up and went and talked to each of them about their day. We usually have about 5 to 10 minutes to wait before we can pull out and go to the other campuses so I chose to use this time to talk to the K-2nd graders. They were pulling stuff out of their folders to show me, telling me about what they had done during the day or what they were going to do when they got home. They LOVED the attention. This is when I also took the time each day to tell them what I expected of them on the ride. To my surprise, they were very responsive. As we went along to each campus, I followed the same thing with greeting each child. I could not get up and talk to them about their day but I was able to greet each one. EVERY child said something back to me, even the high school kids. I was feeling pretty good about it.
On Monday, the kids read the verse and looked through the Bible as usual and asked me some questions about the verse. Tuesday did not result in anymore questions but it was a good route and lots of good conversations. Wednesday, however, was the best day so far. While we were waiting to head off to Intermediate, one of the boys came up to look at the Bible that had not mentioned anything about it before. After talking about the verse, he told me he wanted to be saved! Then another little boy come up and said the same thing! I was almost in tears. I was so excited. I immediately started asking them questions about where they went to church, did they know what it meant to be saved, had they talked to anyone about it before, and so on. We didn't have much time because we were about to pull out. I had to tell them to sit down and the little boy says, "But Mrs. Sutton, I want to hear more about God". I almost pulled my bus over right then and there but I knew I could not do that. I told him just to sit behind me and ask whatever he wanted. Me and the two little boys had a great conversation and I told them the ABC's of becoming a Christian. They told me that they were going to Awana's that night at Woodland Hills Baptist Church and I told them to find an adult or someone there and let them know what we talked about. I just want to stop right here and give a big shout out to Woodland Hills for their great service in picking these kids up every Sunday and Wednesday night also. Without your service, these children would not be able to go to church! I couldn't wait to get off the bus and tell Jason about what had happened. He said, "Well, I know what you are posting about next week". He was right. I almost blogged about it that day but decided to wait.
Thursday was not as exciting as Wednesday but I greeted the kids and talked with them again. Then here comes Friday! Things were going about the same and I had picked up all the kids. We were pulling up to the Hwy 450 stop and I noticed 4 kids standing and waving at the bus in front of us. They were just being silly, waving at all the kids and thinking they were better for not having to ride the bus or something. So I had a Jason moment and decided to do something a little silly myself. I yelled at all the kids on my bus, "Everybody get up and stick your head out the window and wave at those kids"! All the kids hopped up and started waving and I started honking the horn as loud as I could and waving at these four boys. They looked at us like we were crazy and kinda stopped waving. We pulled out on 450 honking, waving and laughing. It was hilarious. I wish you could have seen the look on those four boys' faces. It was priceless. I bet they wished they were riding on number 7 that afternoon because we were having a blast! It was a great ride all the way home. We talked and laughed. I actually had a fun bus route. Did I just say that?! I admit it. It was fun. So fun, that it was the first thing I told Jason about. I felt like I was finally starting to build some real relationships with these kids. However, I know all that can change when I get on the bus today, lol. But what I do know is that it was a great week.
I saw God move this week on the bus. I can only imagine what it would be like if I had started this four years ago. I decided last week to just put one foot in front of the other, one day at a time and I saw progress. I have to stop wishing my life away and just slow down and enjoy each and every moment. By taking it one step at a time and putting one foot in front of the other, one day at a time, I am positive that I will see God continue to move and won't miss the blessings that are right in front of me. I encourage you to slow down this week, listen to God, and just put one foot in front of the other and see what He has waiting for you to discover!
By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3
Friday, May 13, 2011
Tear Jerker
Last summer we went to Tennessee for an extended vacation. We wanted to make it sort of a mission trip since we could not afford to go out of the country or anything. Since I am a big couponer and get lots of free stuff, we decided to make goody bags with basic essentials and also a print out of the gospel to take with us. We gave them out to homeless people we saw along the way on our trip. It was awesome to see their face light up when they opened their bags! The boys LOVED it and wanted to do it again. I say all this to say, that this vacation inspired my youngest son more than I could have ever imagined. As I mentioned in a previous post, we had a garage sale and Jamison wanted to take part of the money and buy Bibles. He said he wanted to give them to homeless people when we went on trips again. I was thrilled at his idea so we went to Mardel and got 10 Bibles. Edison got five and Jamsion got five. We told them that they could use them however they saw fit. They both took their Bibles and wrote a little note in the front of them. The Bibles then went to my office and had been there up until a couple of months ago...
Jamison's best friend, Corbin, got also saved a couple of months ago and was so excited! He started bringing his Bible to school, so of course Jamison had to start bringing his also. They would look at them together at lunch. The next think I know, I am getting an email from their teacher. She tells me that Jamsion and Corbin make her cry every Friday because they had started taking their Bibles on the playground and reading them. The email stated that it had started out as just Jamison and Corbin but had now grown to about six kids. She said that I had a missionary on my hands. The boys were inviting others to join in with them in their "Bible study time". I was in tears. My son and his best friend had started their own Bible Book Club, or so they called it. This is where the Bibles come into play.
I asked Jamison about the Bible Book Club after I got the email. He told me all about it and was so proud of it. He asked me if he could take his five Bibles to school for the Bible Book Club because there were some kids that did not have Bibles that they could bring to school. Wow! (My 8 year old son was doing something that I should have already been doing on my bus). So of course I said yes and he took them the next day. His teacher gave him and Corbin a plastic bin to put the Bibles in to take on the playground. So each Friday and sometimes other days, the Bible Book Club meets on the Hallsville Elementary playground for ten minutes or so. From what Jamison tells me, they read a few verses and then go play. How awesome is that?! Two eight year old boys with a heart for Jesus have created their own missionary field right here on one of Hallsville's school playgrounds. Who would have ever thought by making little goody bags to hand out to homeless people on vacation would have sparked such a wonderful idea in a wonderful little boy.
I am so excited to finally be posting this blog. I have been waiting on a visual for everyone and finally got it today and if this picture does not bring you to tears, then you need to search your heart. Isn't this exactly what we should all be doing? Leave it up to two little boys to open the eyes of this mama, their teachers, and everyone else reading this blog. Who says that Jesus can't be in public schools?! I hope that this blog and these two little boys inspire others to go spread the Good News. We each have our own mission field right before us. We just have to be willing to let God show us and use us for His glory. The blessings you will receive from it are unlimited. So what are you waiting for? Go share Jesus with those in your mission field and be blessed!
Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:19-20
Monday, May 9, 2011
Week 4: Exhaustion
Week four can be wrapped up in one word, "EXHAUSTION"! My planner was full from top to bottom each day and then some. I knew Mother's Day was coming up but was not prepared for all of the Scentsy orders that I would be filling. It was almost worse than Christmas but I was thankful for them all at the same time. On top of that I was studying all week for a final that I have tomorrow, my husband started a new job at the hospital, I had to clean house, go to school, prepare for small group and several other small errands. I was overwhelmed to say the least and I do believe it has been the busiest week of 2011 for me. After the hustle and bustle of all that was going on during the day, I then had to rush to the bus and endure the 45 minute zoo in a cage! By the end of the week, I was beat down!
I had high hopes for week 4 and I have to say it was better than week 3 but not any significant changes. I was able to read out of the Bible again and was asked several questions about the verse, which is always a step forward in my eyes. I posted a verse that would help remind the kids to say positive things and be careful with their choice of words. I am proud to report that there were not any shoutings of obscene words this week. Thank the Lord for that! I say all of that to say, because of my overly busy schedule last week, my heart just wasn't in it. I did not have any strength to fight with them or yell at them by the end of the day. So, I just got very frustrated every day with them instead. Not that it was any different than any other week, I just let myself get caught up in my stuff and forgot to focus on the main goal. The main goal is to just love them like Jesus and I lost sight of that last week.
I know that all of you can identify with what I am talking about. We overly fill our planners and leave little room for Jesus and then we wonder at the end of the week what happened. We look back and scratch our heads wondering what the heck just happened and how did we get to Friday when it was just Monday! Well that was my week in a nutshell. I focused on God in the morning but as the day went on I seemed to leave Him behind dropping little pieces every place I went. I forgot to slow down and let Him catch up and by the end of the day, there was none left to give. He wants us to slow down, pick Him up and carry Him with us. We can't forget Him or leave Him at home in our Bible study book. That is a great place for Him but He has to be with us everywhere we go. If you find that you are missing Him, just stop, close your eyes, and invite Him to come along. That is my goal this week. I want to love those kids like Jesus but I can't do it unless I ask Him to come along for the ride. I hope that you will join me in taking the co-pilot seat this week and let Jesus take over the pilot seat and lead the way.
He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool. Proverbs 10:18
I had high hopes for week 4 and I have to say it was better than week 3 but not any significant changes. I was able to read out of the Bible again and was asked several questions about the verse, which is always a step forward in my eyes. I posted a verse that would help remind the kids to say positive things and be careful with their choice of words. I am proud to report that there were not any shoutings of obscene words this week. Thank the Lord for that! I say all of that to say, because of my overly busy schedule last week, my heart just wasn't in it. I did not have any strength to fight with them or yell at them by the end of the day. So, I just got very frustrated every day with them instead. Not that it was any different than any other week, I just let myself get caught up in my stuff and forgot to focus on the main goal. The main goal is to just love them like Jesus and I lost sight of that last week.
I know that all of you can identify with what I am talking about. We overly fill our planners and leave little room for Jesus and then we wonder at the end of the week what happened. We look back and scratch our heads wondering what the heck just happened and how did we get to Friday when it was just Monday! Well that was my week in a nutshell. I focused on God in the morning but as the day went on I seemed to leave Him behind dropping little pieces every place I went. I forgot to slow down and let Him catch up and by the end of the day, there was none left to give. He wants us to slow down, pick Him up and carry Him with us. We can't forget Him or leave Him at home in our Bible study book. That is a great place for Him but He has to be with us everywhere we go. If you find that you are missing Him, just stop, close your eyes, and invite Him to come along. That is my goal this week. I want to love those kids like Jesus but I can't do it unless I ask Him to come along for the ride. I hope that you will join me in taking the co-pilot seat this week and let Jesus take over the pilot seat and lead the way.
He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool. Proverbs 10:18
Monday, May 2, 2011
Try, Try Again
The previous two weeks of excitement, new beginnings and building new relationships had me going into week three with great anticipation. I was ready to conquer the world but little did I know that Satan would attack by the end of week 3.
The first day started out GREAT! I put the new verse on the mirror, John 11:25. As I sat with Jason on my bus waiting for the kids, I was so excited. I just knew how great this week was going to be and hoped that new doors may be opened to the kids that hadn't said anything about it yet. As the kids piled onto the bus that day, I didn't feel the same excitement from them that I had the two prior weeks, but little Caden noticed first thing when he got on and asked me to read the verse to him out of the Bible! That really got my hopes us. It was so awesome being able to read to him from the Bible and explain the verse to him. I don't know if he likes the verses more of just me spending time with him. Either way, I am getting to share Jesus with him. The two boys that sit behind me also noticed the verse and read from the Bible again. And at the end of the route the same girls came up and grabbed the Bible and read from it again. We always get a little more time to talk because everyone else is off of the bus by then. But I was a little disappointed because it was the same people that I have been able to talk to for the last two weeks. Why hadn't God opened the door for me to talk to anyone new today? I still had hope, there were still four more days.
As the week went on, no one else really asked about the verse, other than the occasional question about when I was going to change it again. I was glad they were wanting more and I was excited to give them more. I was just a little sad that no one knew had said anything about it. However, I did have one high school boy get on my bus on Wednesday and opened up a conversation as he was walking up the steps to the bus. It was just casual conversation but he had never talked to me before. I went home and told Jason about it because I was pretty hyped about a high school kid wanting to make conversation with me for the first time this year. Not sure if it had anything to do with the verses or not but God was definitely trying to open the door. Thursday and Friday yielded the same thing. The teenage boy started up conversations with me on both days. We talked about school and his weekend plans. It felt great talking to him and I hope that this will open up opportunities before the end of the school year to share Jesus with him. This was AWESOME! I realized that sometimes relationships have to be built before someone will open up to you and want to hear about Jesus. This is my hope for the students on the bus that haven't said anything yet. I hope that God will allow an open door for me to build a relationship with them so that I can share Jesus with them.
Don't think for one minute that everything always goes that smooth on the bus though! I had my share of Satan this week and I did not like it one bit I tell you, not one! I had a first grader lash out with calling a girl the "P" word. Sorry, you'll have to guess if you don't know because it can not be repeated and made me sick to my stomach to hear coming out of his mouth. I could not believe my ears. Then the other kids were shouting, "He said ...." and all of them were shouting it out loud. What had happened? Everything was going so smooth and one little word had to wreck it all. The student told me he had heard it from his uncle and did not even know what it meant. Satan STAY OFF OF MY BUS! DO NOT ENTER THESE DOORS! YOU SHALL NOT PASS! This will be my prayer each day before I get on the bus the rest of the year. I have been praying for my sanity and for the kids but never thought about praying for Satan. But this will be my new prayer because I am tired of him bothering our ride every afternoon and I won't let him destroy what the Lord is trying to do.
It was a hard week but we got through it and I know that the Lord has great plans for the afternoon ride on #7! I just know it. He taught me through the trials this week to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). It can be a huge challenge, especially when the kids say things they shouldn't be saying. I do realize though that they are sometimes just innocent bystanders and are only doing things they have been accustomed to or taught by things they have seen. All the more reason for me to love them just as God loves me. Where else will they get it? I have to be strong and follow through with God's plan. So I ask that everyone reading this blog, please pray for the children on my bus, and every bus for the matter, and that I can be strong and be who they need me to be. God has great plans and I am determined to not let Satan get the best of #7, if it is the last thing I do. Pray on prayer warriors, pray on.
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies". John 11:25
The first day started out GREAT! I put the new verse on the mirror, John 11:25. As I sat with Jason on my bus waiting for the kids, I was so excited. I just knew how great this week was going to be and hoped that new doors may be opened to the kids that hadn't said anything about it yet. As the kids piled onto the bus that day, I didn't feel the same excitement from them that I had the two prior weeks, but little Caden noticed first thing when he got on and asked me to read the verse to him out of the Bible! That really got my hopes us. It was so awesome being able to read to him from the Bible and explain the verse to him. I don't know if he likes the verses more of just me spending time with him. Either way, I am getting to share Jesus with him. The two boys that sit behind me also noticed the verse and read from the Bible again. And at the end of the route the same girls came up and grabbed the Bible and read from it again. We always get a little more time to talk because everyone else is off of the bus by then. But I was a little disappointed because it was the same people that I have been able to talk to for the last two weeks. Why hadn't God opened the door for me to talk to anyone new today? I still had hope, there were still four more days.
As the week went on, no one else really asked about the verse, other than the occasional question about when I was going to change it again. I was glad they were wanting more and I was excited to give them more. I was just a little sad that no one knew had said anything about it. However, I did have one high school boy get on my bus on Wednesday and opened up a conversation as he was walking up the steps to the bus. It was just casual conversation but he had never talked to me before. I went home and told Jason about it because I was pretty hyped about a high school kid wanting to make conversation with me for the first time this year. Not sure if it had anything to do with the verses or not but God was definitely trying to open the door. Thursday and Friday yielded the same thing. The teenage boy started up conversations with me on both days. We talked about school and his weekend plans. It felt great talking to him and I hope that this will open up opportunities before the end of the school year to share Jesus with him. This was AWESOME! I realized that sometimes relationships have to be built before someone will open up to you and want to hear about Jesus. This is my hope for the students on the bus that haven't said anything yet. I hope that God will allow an open door for me to build a relationship with them so that I can share Jesus with them.
Don't think for one minute that everything always goes that smooth on the bus though! I had my share of Satan this week and I did not like it one bit I tell you, not one! I had a first grader lash out with calling a girl the "P" word. Sorry, you'll have to guess if you don't know because it can not be repeated and made me sick to my stomach to hear coming out of his mouth. I could not believe my ears. Then the other kids were shouting, "He said ...." and all of them were shouting it out loud. What had happened? Everything was going so smooth and one little word had to wreck it all. The student told me he had heard it from his uncle and did not even know what it meant. Satan STAY OFF OF MY BUS! DO NOT ENTER THESE DOORS! YOU SHALL NOT PASS! This will be my prayer each day before I get on the bus the rest of the year. I have been praying for my sanity and for the kids but never thought about praying for Satan. But this will be my new prayer because I am tired of him bothering our ride every afternoon and I won't let him destroy what the Lord is trying to do.
It was a hard week but we got through it and I know that the Lord has great plans for the afternoon ride on #7! I just know it. He taught me through the trials this week to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). It can be a huge challenge, especially when the kids say things they shouldn't be saying. I do realize though that they are sometimes just innocent bystanders and are only doing things they have been accustomed to or taught by things they have seen. All the more reason for me to love them just as God loves me. Where else will they get it? I have to be strong and follow through with God's plan. So I ask that everyone reading this blog, please pray for the children on my bus, and every bus for the matter, and that I can be strong and be who they need me to be. God has great plans and I am determined to not let Satan get the best of #7, if it is the last thing I do. Pray on prayer warriors, pray on.
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies". John 11:25
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