God Can Change A Heart
Earlier this week, Doyle shared about Kathie being baptized in the Holy Spirit
and how that opened her life up to the spiritual world. I considered my own
life, and could believe what was being said. After I was baptized in the Holy
Spirit many things in my life began to change and quickly. I began to see more
of God’s power working in my life. I appreciate God and the way he has been
gracious to me as I continue to learn to walk with Him.
I would like to
preface this with this being around the time I was baptized in the Holy Spirit.
I was teaching at a school that was pretty close to where we were living. Many
of the people there knew Anthony and I even before I taught there because it was
so close to the town we lived in. It is funny how people see you one way and
like you, then when they find out what you are all about….not so much. Well, to
meet me casually I was pretty laid back, easy going. In a job setting
(classroom) I was pretty much all business. My dad taught me to give all you had
in whatever you did! People would say oh she’s so nice, so naturally they
assumed I was a push over. Well, I do thank God that he always gave me favor
with those who were in authority at whatever school I worked at. This particular
school however had many family members who all worked there. One lady in
particular use to on many occasions tell me how she couldn’t wait till I had her
daughter in class, (at this school you could request who the teacher would be).
So the time came and I got her daughter in class as well as the first cousin. I
will also mention that the grandmother was also a teacher here. Like I said, I
was all business in the classroom and was known to be strict by other students
who had me before. I had certain requirements for schoolwork, being if it wasn’t
prepared on time you received a zero. It usually only took a kid once for this
to happen, and they got the responsibility message. This was not ever to be
mean, although some looked at it that way, I just had come to teach the way I
was brought up, or learned responsibility my own self. Well, the mother also
taught there and was good friends with the Superintendent. She had also gone to
school there and had learned how to rule the roost. Most people loved her. One
day her daughter did not have a couple of assignments completed; therefore, was
to receive zeroes. I informed the parents as normal; however, shortly thereafter
the matter had made it to both administrative offices. I had a short meeting
with the Superintendent on this and other matters regarding the situation. My
parents had also taught me to always obey those in authority and do what you are
expected to do, and I have always done this. This particular occasion though was
a bit different. There were some things not right about this situation, the
first thing being the person in authority didn’t have a problem with me until
these women did. So as I was called into the office and spoke, it became obvious
that I was being asked to make an exception because of who someone was. After
discussing the matter, I left there angry that this man was letting these women
tell him what to do. I thank God for my dad and the things he taught me to stand
for, one being if you believe something you hold fast to it. I pretty much put
my job on the line with the administration. I got home and told Anthony what had
happened, and said if I have to lose my job over this or whatever, I am willing
to do it because this whole situation is wrong. I also knew I might have to
humble myself and take correction from God on this matter as well. It was not
about a kid getting a zero, it was about what these two women and their friends
had continually done to men that were in authority there, and now they were
trying to use someone else’s authority to control me. I believe this matter drug
out for a couple of days or so, it was a pretty big deal. Finally one morning it
was suppose to be finished and a decision was to be made: ONE, being me having
to make an exception because of the mother, or TWO being my decision in my
classroom being final. Also during this time I had been reading Lydia Prince’s
book. In one part she talked about how she needed God to do something, and
realized all she could do was pray believing and God had to work it out. As I
drove to school I remembered this, so I said out loud to God, “Fine, it is my
responsibility to believe and it is your responsibility to work it out!” I
finally arrived at school and was walking down the hallway and could see the
mother at my door. When I got there she looked at me and said just do what you
want to do I'm not messing with it. I will tell you that did something in my
heart because I knew what I had just told God. Shortly after I was called back
into the Superintendent’s office and he gave me the same news. He would let me
do what I needed to. Thank God! God had changed both of their hearts. God was
continuing to prove himself to me so that I would continue to put my trust in
Him. He has continued this same thing in my current position in changing hearts
that are in places of authority. I will briefly share with you that when I took
my current position there were requirements that I have never had to do, but I
knew God gave me this job. As I continued to believe and walk through the places
God was putting me to strengthen me, those requirements (that were given by
people in authority) their hearts began to change; therefore those requirements
began to change and become less, which took much pressure off of me. God
continues to demonstrate His power and authority to me by changing hearts and
situations.
God Bless,
Misty – December 27,2009