Learning

It's been an interesting week, this first week on Steem. There is so much to learn! So many people contributing. I can see how it could become addictive, but I just don't have that kind of time. So I'm learning to pay attention to people who have followed me (thank you!) and scanning through other posts as I look for my niche here. Right now, I'm most attracted to the Christian-trail, so I thought I'd share a little about myself in regard to my faith in Jesus Christ, and my love for God's Word.

My dad was a preacher, and an outstanding Bible teacher. He had the gift of making the hard things of the Word understandable. From early childhood, a central focus in my life was the church, and I loved it--most of the time :) Come on, nobody's perfect!

I started teaching little kids in Sunday school when I was only 12, and I've been teaching ever since. Not just the Bible, although that's my favorite thing to teach; I became a teacher, and taught in private Christian schools for many years. English and history are my first loves, after the Bible.

But then my husband hit the shocking wall of depression about 22 years ago.

That's another story for another post. I mention it here because it changed my life, too. At age 50, I returned to school to get a master's degree that would allow me to do private-practice counseling in a Christian counseling office. Now, at 70, I'm still working three days each week, still teaching; good counseling is more than just listening, although there's a lot of that. It includes teaching. I love my work.

The Bible is my favorite source of comfort, guidance, encouragement, and common sense. One of my favorite passages for counseling is Philippians 4:4-8. We can learn to rejoice even while we are suffering in some way. God is near. We need to learn moderation. We need to learn to pray about everything, and to think of those things that are just, pure, true, lovely, of good reputation. When we put our minds on Jesus Christ, whatever else we may be experiencing suddenly becomes less hurtful.

I believe with all my heart that God has brought together three great loves in my life: His Word, teaching, and helping hurting people. It just doesn't get any better than that.