Living with gratitude.

Tomorrow I’m back at school after 16 days off between semesters for Christmas and New Year’s holidays. We finished the last final exams on December 20th and it took me a while to finish grading, post semester grades, and really settle into the break. I have truly savored time at home with my family, even when there were 4 work schedules and tough to find a few days where all 5 of us had off work together for a meal or adventure.

I’m so grateful my 3 daughters had such successful fall semesters with supportive friends and bright possibilities. They all have exciting events this spring semester to look forward to in May — my eldest daughter turns 21 and a few days later her sisters graduate high school, and the next day my husband turns 50!

My eldest daughter starts spring semester tomorrow with new nursing clinicals mid-month, while my twins start their last semester of Senior Year on Wednesday.

I have had time this break to rest, reflect, consider, and ponder.

I was thinking about the semester ahead — what do I hope for in my own work over the next 5 months?

Teaching is not easy and often stretches me in many ways, emotionally, physically, and psychologically — being healthy is so important. Finding space for solitude, silence, and encouragement is vital.

I was reading Henri Nouwen’s writing about faith and felt encouraged — and inspired to work on being a welcomer this semester. —

“The leap of faith always means loving without expecting to be loved in return, giving without wanting to receive, inviting without hoping to be invited, holding without asking to be held. And every time I make a little leap, I catch a glimpse of the One who runs out to me and invites me into his joy, the joy in which I can find not only myself, but also my brothers and sisters. Thus the disciplines of trust and gratitude reveal the God who searches for me, burning with desire to take away all my resentments and complaints and to let me sit at his side at the heavenly banquet.”
― Henri Nouwen, Return of the Prodigal Son

By focusing on giving, loving, and inviting, bringing joy and hope — I can shift my focus on giving with gratitude.