I remember when I grew up, we had the privilege of praying in the public schools. Not only did we recite the Lord's prayer daily, but we also ended with a closing prayer each afternoon. Oh how I WISH we could do that in my classroom today! I attended a very small public school for several years. Added to our daily routine was also the singing of several hymns from the beloved, small, brown, hymnbook. I am a singer and my teacher Mrs. Janzen must have seen great potential in me even way back then. Every hymn session, she would smile and sing the alto harmonies loud and clear in my ear. I picked it up every time very easily. I was so proud and she was proud of me too. I would grin from ear to ear! To this day, I credit much of my ability to harmonize to her faithful and patient singing in my ear. God bless teachers like Mrs. Janzen. One of my favourite old hymns we often sang was entitled: My God and I. Simply put it talked of the unique and exceptionally special relationship between our Heavenly Father and us. It spoke of walking through beautiful meadows and talking and laughing as best friends do. The lyrics brought powerful images to mind of a Heavenly Father who is also a dear friend who truly desires to spend quality time with us. In Romans 5:11 it says: So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God—all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God. – Romans 5:11 (NLT) It is truly incredible that the God of the universe desires a friendship with us. I talk to God about EVERYTHING! He is my best friend, confidant and the keeper of my deepest desires, secret prayers and biggest dreams. I don't know where I would be today without God and trust me, I don't even want to imagine ever doing life without him by my side 24/7. There is NOTHING my God and I can't handle together and I am so grateful for the relationship we have each and every day of my life! Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you are a God that calls us friends. Thank you that you are never too busy to listen to us or spend time with us. We love you and appreciate the relationship we have with you beyond words. In Jesus' name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Dana
Copyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword Tags: friendship with God, my God and I, spending time in God's prescence
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I fondly remember as a little kid the wonderful joy of Saturday morning cartoons. Armed with a huge bowl of sugary cereal in my lap, my favourite pjs and cozy blanket, I settled in for the pleasure of watching show after show. One of my favourites cartoons was The Justice League. I was fascinated by all the superheroes and all their special powers and abilities. One of my favs other than Wonder Woman of course, were the Wonder Twins. I loved how they always saved the day by joining forces together. On their own, they were not complete but when they teamed up, they were truly a force to be reckoned with. Through the years as a parent when I needed to enlist some help from the kids we would often in fun say “WONDER TWIN POWERS… ACTIVATE" and do the signature fist bump that the cartoon characters would do. My kids were kind of out of the loop with The Justice League and I am sure they didn’t quite get it. Nevertheless, Ty and Shannon would chime in with a hearty "WONDER TWIN POWERS ACTI-BATE" time and time again. (lol) Regardless of their lack of schema for the show, they got that it meant that teamwork matters, and I was reaching out for help. In Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 ( New Living Translation) it says: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. My mom said it this way “Many hands make light work.” She would often say this when we were helping with the dishes or housework especially if our attitudes were, let's just say, less than ideal. We got what she was saying, regardless, loud and clear. It is true how much we need each other. We were designed to be part of an authentic community and everybody needs somebody in their corner. Who are your “people?” Your “people” are your tribe, your most cherished humans on the face of this earth. They are the people you could call on day or night. Belive me, it is an elite few. They are the ones that will come alongside you during the best and worst of times. They make the load lighter and they literally walk in when the rest of the world walks out. I am blessed to have many of these people in my life. I have swallowed my pride many times, and reached out to them for help. Some of us don't like to be vulnerable, but remember there are no prizes for independence my friends. Sometimes in our lives we really need others by our side. It is healthy, necessary and part of God’s plan. Knowing when to rally the troops is both wise and commendable. If you haven’t found your “people” yet, don’t despair. They are out there. You must keep looking and don’t be afraid to initiate activities or help from them. Too many people sit back waiting for others. This can just keep you lonely, needy and frustrated. The verse above says it beautifully when it says "two are better than one because they can help each other succeed." Together we work towards the same goals and true friends are so happy to help. The great thing is when they need you, you are there for them too. It is a winning combo for sure. So next time you are struggling with something, remember the mantra “WONDER TWINS… ACTIVATE!” There are people just waiting to fist bump and join forces with you to help you succeed and just in case you are wondering, I am one of them! Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you with our whole hearts for the gift of others who walk through both our sunny days and storms with us. True friends are one of the greatest blessings that we can have on this earth. We know that you have designed us for fellowship and to be genuinely connected to others. Life is hard, but with you by our side and our “people” in our corner, we know we will be able to take life one day at a time. We are so grateful for that reassurance. In Jesus’ name, Amen Sending you a virtual fist bump, Dana
Tags: friendship, best friends, relationships, authentic community, supporting one anotherCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
I am sure somewhere along the way you have heard talk about is your cup half full or half empty? I heard a quote this week that challenged me a bit. It said in response to this, "I'm just grateful I have a cup!" Wow! Interesting perspective isn't it? It is so true that much of what we have we often take for granted. So much of what makes up our day to day lives, others could only dream about. We are truly blessed but in the hard times, sad seasons or discouraging moments, it is easily forgotten. In Psalms 23:5 it talks about "my cup overflows" which signifies how many blessings we truly have. Not only has God filled our cup, but it is actually overflowing with his loving kindness to us. I went out for coffee with a friend today. The young boy overfilled my beverage, and needed to pour some out before he served it to me. In this instance, an overflowing cup might seem like a nuisance, but not with our "life's cup." I have heard of many studies that indicate that anxiety and gratefulness cannot coexist. These two mindsets are literally competing for our brain's attention. I don't know about you, but I sure would like to have a life filled with gratefulness, over anxiety ANY DAY. Gratitude journals are a great tool to express our thankfulness for all of our blessings. They are a great resource to have as well to come back to during the hard times. If you need an recommendation for a good journal, I have some available as a digital download and can hook you up. Just let me know. The very act of writing things down, puts in writing examples of God's faithfulness to us. Blessings are all around us whether it be a hot cup of coffee, a warm and cozy home, a sunshiny day or a hug from our best friend. Remember as God's children we truly do experience an abundance of favour and things to be grateful for. Our cups are overflowing right along with the fullness we feel in our thankful hearts! Tuck that in your heart today! Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you not only fill our life's cup but you overflow it. Your love is so high, so deep and so wide, for us it is almost too much to comprehend. We are blessed to have you not only as our Saviour but our very best friend. May we never take all that you have given us for granted but instead seek to use it all to bless others and make you proud. In Jesus' Name, Amen Until next time, Dana AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, author, social worker, blogger and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or writing, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. Tags: blessings, thankfulness, gratitude, thankful heart, full cups, positive attitudeCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
I had a yard sale in my class last week. I am retiring in 4 years and I am starting to purge things now. It is unreal the amount of stuff I have accumulated in 20 years of teaching. UNREAL, I tell ya! I told the kids everything must go and all stuff was FREE! They were beside themselves, literally freaking out. The "hot" items were peel and stick mustaches, a black cowboy hat, a melting snowman, pop-it toys and stickers of all varieties. It was so precious and comical to see what they chose. They were absolutely delighted to go back to the tables time and time again and fill their bags with yet another "treasure." It was a great way to get rid of stuff and the kids sure appreciated it. They kept asking "Are you sure you want to get rid of this?" I just kept saying "Absolutely! One man's junk is another man's treasure!" My students taught me a valuable lesson that day that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder and I couldn't help making comparisons with this experience and how our heavenly father sees us. In Deuteronomy 7:6 is says “The Lord your God has chosen you to be people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. We are G0d's treasure. God's treasure? Let that sink in. We as humans are so flawed, so sinful and so unworthy of his love. Yet, he doesn't perceive us that way. Where we see broken, he sees beautiful. Where we see worthless, he sees priceless. His love for us is so boundless and magnificent. It is almost too much to take in at times. Just like my students, through their eyes, everything that had been laid out on the table was so valuable. They saw it through different eyes, like God views us. Never forget your value. You were worth dying for in God's eyes. You are absolutely priceless and irreplaceable. I want to remind you of that today because you matter and you. are. treasured! Tuck that in your heart today! Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you look beyond our flaws and see someone you love unconditionally. May we be willing to see what you see and embrace all you have made us to be. Guide us to others who need to know of the treasure they are as well. In Jesus' name, Amen AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, author, social worker, blogger and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or writing, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. Tags: self esteem, self worth, God's masterpiece, God love, you are valuableCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
In Lamentations 3: 22 - 23 it says: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. It is such an incredible thought to ponder that God's mercies are new EVERY morning. With each new day, God gives us a fresh dose of his grace to face whatever the day may hold. He never grows weary of us, or tired of offering his grace on a continual basis. In this verse it speaks of the never changing nature of God's love as well. It is described as steadfast. You can count on it and put your trust in it. God's love is so different than anything we are used to here on earth. It is so refreshing. He loves us unconditionally. NOTHING we could ever do would make God loves us any less or more than he does right now. Some days are very difficult. It is so reassuring to know that with each new sunrise, we have a chance to make a fresh start in Christ. God can give us a fresh start at any time, but truly every day we have on this earth is a gift. Knowing that God is faithful and stays by our side reminds us that together with God, no matter what the day may bring, we will face it head on, hand in hand together. Tuck that in your heart today! Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of each new day. Each new day has such potential. Help us to never take for granted the wonderful life you have given us. May we not count the days, but make the days count for the cause of Christ and the furtherance of your kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen Until next time, Dana AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, author, social worker, blogger and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or writing, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. Tag: God's faithfulness, God's mercy, gift of a new dayCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
Father's Day is just around the corner. For this reason, I couldn't resist the chance to share with you and sing the praises of the incredible man that is my dad. My dad turned 80 this year, although he refused to admit it. He jokingly denied it saying he was 79 and he has chosen to age in reverse from here on out. Sounds like a great plan. He is a character for sure. My dad is the strong and silent type. He is extremely generous and kind and shows his love through constant loving acts of service for his family and community. My siblings and I have always been affectionately known as "babe," to my dad. It is a term of endearment that always makes us smile. Growing up we would always be presented with little treats and snacks that my dad had carefully prepared which he always deemed were "world famous." My family laughs because they say "world famous" usually meant, very sugary, buttery or salty, but none the less "world famous" ALWAYS meant made with love so we were always happy to dig in. If we had a road trip as teenagers that we were doing on our own, without fail, dad would gas up the car, turn it around parked towards the highway and make us a lovely breakfast to see us off. He was and always is doing kind gestures to show how much he cares. My dad is the Corps Sergeant Major at the local Salvation Army church. He has actively served there for many years. Many times, he has been called upon to preach when the officers are away, and it is always a pleasure to hear his wonderful sermons. My dad is such an inspiration. He still works at eighty years old every day and despite the profound heartbreak that he has recently experienced, he keeps on smiling and serving God with all his heart. You see, my dad lost his love, my mom in 2022, and it was so devastating for him. My mom was a "one in a million" type of person. Everybody loved her and she is so missed. Mom was in a dark depression, and she died in that state. We all had such high hopes for her getting better, but it never happened. It was so sad for all of us. My dad remained strong through it all and God brought an amazing new woman into his life named Martha. Martha was a surprise blessing for my dad. He was so happy; his joy was returning, and they got engaged. Sadly, six months after they met though, she too passed away. Our hearts were so broken for my dad as he lost two wonderful women in one year. It was unbelievable. Through it all my dad has been such an example to all despite what he has faced. He models strength in adversity and that although we may not understand why God allows things to happen to us, we must still trust him. He is truly a remarkable and special man. I love him beyond words and I am extremely blessed to have him right around the corner, in my town. He brings over pizza, volunteers in my classroom, chaperones my field trips for my students, calls in to check in, gives wise and sincere advice and impacts his community in so many ways. Mom always said it wasn't hard for us to understand the love of God the father when we had the experience of having a dad like ours. She was so right. In Psalm 103:13 (ESV) it says: As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. In God we have the ultimate father. He is a good, good, father. Even the best dads pale in comparison. I realize that everyone's experiences are different with their fathers. You maybe had or have the best dad, like me. You perhaps have or had a very different experience. There could be so many different stories of dads that were not good fathers for whatever reason. If that is your story, I am very sorry. Whatever your experience with your earthly father is, please know that there is a heavenly father that loves you unconditionally and he longs to have a relationship with you. He loves you so much that he sent his son to die on a cross so that you could have everlasting life and one day live forever in Heaven with him. All you must do is acknowledge that he is your Saviour, ask for forgiveness, and you can have that relationship with a heavenly father that will make your life complete. If you would like more information about our loving heavenly father or would like to continue the conversation, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. I would be honoured to chat and pray with you. Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you that you are such an amazing father and that you love us unconditionally. I would pray that all my friends would accept you and experience the love that only you can give. In Jesus' name, Amen Until next time, Dana AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, author, social worker, blogger and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or writing, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. Tags: Father's Day, dads, fathers, parenting, God's loveCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
We have so much to be thankful for. Don't you agree? I am drawn to the verse in Philipians 1:3 today that states "I thank God every time I remember you." I have so many special people in my life. My heart is very full. My blessings include wonderful family, incredible friends, amazing colleagues and a growing online community of like-minded people who are quickly becoming very special to me. We need other people in life so very much. Life was never meant to go it alone that is for sure. Knowing that others walk alongside us through it all is so reassuring and comforting. Let them knowMy message today is simple. Let those people who make your heart sing, "your people" know what they mean to you. Life can get so busy, that we can easily neglect to let people know how much we value them. Don't wait another minute. Do it now! It doesn't have to be complicated. It could be a text, a phonecall, a card, or an email that you send when you "remember them" as this Bible verse says. You reaching out could be the exact thing they need right now. Remembering the special people in my life past or present always makes me smile. Reach out today with a word of gratitude or encouragement to your special people today and trust me you will make them smile too! If you have people that love you and bring out the best in you, never take that for granted! You are blessed. Tuck that in your heart today. Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you for the gift of special people today. We appreciate the specific people who you have strategically placed in our lives that are so near and dear to us. We pray that you will prosper them, encourage them, meet their needs and bless them beyond their wildest dreams. In Jesus' name, Amen Until next time, Dana AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, author, social worker, blogger and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or writing, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. Tags: friends, family, special people, gratitudeCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
I have walked some really dark roads these past few years. I lost my mother-in-law, mom, father-in-law and my dad's fiancée in a very short period. It seemed just as we were trying to process one loss, another hit. It was heartbreaking, very painful, confusing and extremely difficult for our family. Our family was left wondering when will this end? It was a LOT to take in. We were clearly not prepared for grief and loss of this magnitude. Many of my friends are experiencing some very dark times right now as well. Words fail. Nothing I could say or do can dry their tears or heal their hearts. I feel so inadequate, but I do know how it feels to lose someone you love so much. Losing my mom has been by far the hardest for me. It is a loss that lingers and has truly left me different than I was before. I saw someone that resembled her this weekend and immediately burst into tears. Grief is like that. It brings us to our knees time and time again. Although we may feel alone, as a believer, we are never truly alone. There is hope for the broken hearted. In Psalms 34:18 it says: The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Let's unpack that together. He is close byJesus stays when others leave. He walks in when others walk out. This verse says he is close to the brokenhearted. He feels our pain and he holds our hand through it all. I have always been touched by the poem Footprints where it talks of when there was only one set of footprints, that is when he was carrying us. He isn't going anywhere. Sometimes we are surprised who is there for us during our darkest days. Those we thought we could count on sometimes let us down. That is so disappointing. Jesus will never let us down. His word says he will NEVER leave us or forsake us and that is so reassuring because during our toughest trials we need him more than ever. He is our rescuerJesus never promised to take our hard times away. I have prayed for that time and time again in my own life, but it doesn't work that way. He rescues us but not always in the way we would like or at the time we would hope. We can run to him when our hearts are heavy or when we just can't take another loss or disappointment. In his arms we find comfort and respite from a broken world. When we spend time in his presence, we are not the same. He empowers us with his strength to carry on another day. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, I encourage you to invite him into your life. He will be by your side like no friend you have ever known and bring you peace even in the lowest of valleys. He is as close to you as the mention of his name. If you need prayer, please do not hesitate to reach out. It would be my honour to pray for you and walk beside you during your tough times. [email protected] Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you as your word says that you are near to the broken hearted. I pray for all my dear friends who are going through times of unspeakable loss and heartbreak. Bring them comfort Lord, the comfort that only you can bring. Although they may feel alone, I pray that they will feel your presence like never before. Lift them up Lord. Hold them close. Let them know that they WILL come through this, In Jesus' name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Dana AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, author, social worker, blogger and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or writing, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. Tags: God's peace, grief and loss, comfort in trials
Copyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
Recently my husband and I went on a weekend getaway to a beautiful and picturesque location in a town near the Elora Gorge called Puslinch, Ontario. Prior to our trip, I had never even heard of this little town, but I stumbled upon it during an Airbnb search. I have always wanted to stay in a tiny home. I find tiny homes very fascinating with the creativity people use to find the best use of minimal space. This tiny home, a converted shipping container, was on a pond, in a gorgeous private wooded area. With so many amenities and breath-taking scenery, this spot did NOT disappoint. Above all this location had to offer what really spoke to us was the peace and serenity it offered us. My grampa used to call his "happy place," his little "Shangri-la." We quickly deemed this our little "Shangri-la," and knew this was JUST what we needed to escape the stress and pressures of life, if even for a weekend. Finding peace is something we all long for. In Philippians 4:7 it talks about the peace of God, that transcends all our understanding, that will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This sounds like something we all could use. Let's take a closer look. God's peace is supernaturalOur search for peace on our own often brings only a temporary fix. God's peace is so different. He can give us peace that makes no sense. I can personally vouch for this statement. During some of the most challenging times in my life, I have been blessed with the "peace that passes all understanding," that only God can give. We cannot manufacture that on our own. It is truly a gift from God. It carries us through the good days, the bad days, the broken-hearted times and the times we feel we cannot go on another day. His peace gives us the strength to put one foot in front of the other, taking one day at a time, knowing that God will be with us every step of the way. There is such peace and reassurance in knowing we are not alone. Protect your peaceWe need to guard our hearts, minds and peace in this crazy world of ours. All too often we place our wonderful peace in the hands of others who do not care about our well-being. Screening phone calls, or avoiding certain scenarios or people for a while can be a form of self-care. It may seem unkind, but on the contrary, it is necessary so we can present our best selves to the world. We need to build ourselves up so we can help others. I understand we cannot avoid certain situations or people. When possible, though, I encourage you to ask yourself - Will this cost me my peace to involve myself in this matter? If the answer is yes and it is not something you NEED to step into, RUN! Anything that costs you your peace is clearly too expensive. Peace is a wonderful thing. It is rare today. If you need peace, carve out more quiet time in your schedule where you can unplug and enjoy solitude. While you are there, invite the Prince of Peace to join you. He is wonderful company and will leave you with a peace like you have never known. Tuck that in your heart today. Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you that in this crazy world of ours, you have promised to bring peace to our troubled souls. We are so grateful that even when terrible things come our way, you are always the calm in our storms and will always hold our hand as we ride this rollercoaster called life. We can't thank you enough for the gift of peace. In Jesus' name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Dana P.S. Go find YOUR Shangri-la!
Tags: peace, guard your peace, Prince of Peace, peace that passes understandingCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could be carefree like when we were little kids? My students make it their personal mission every day to get one of the three blue chairs we have in the classroom. It seems because these chairs are different than the other burgundy chairs, they are deemed somehow "magical" or more special. One little guy this week even called himself "the chosen one" when he happened to luck out and get a blue chair for the day. Funny what we prioritized or worried about back then, seems so trivial now. Stress is relative they say, yet somehow as adults we long for the "good old days" when life just seemed well, a whole lot simpler. It is easy to feel overwhelmed on a daily basis. This is why the Bible clearer instructs us to seek help to carry our burdens. In 1 Peter 5:7 ESV it says to "Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." This is good news because the heaviness that you feel ... that weight in your chest that makes it hard to breathe... does not have to be handled alone. You can share it! Cast your anxieties on himWhy do we try to go it alone when it is clearly not necessary or part of God's plan for us? Think of your worries or stress like a very heavy backpack. You will never feel relief by ignoring it, denying it, covering it up or believing the lie that dealing with that heaviness is just the way it is going to be for you, forever and ever AMEN! You only truly get relief from that heavy burden when you lay. it. down. Where you lay it down though, is key. Putting it at the foot of your bed, or at the front door only to be picked up again and again, makes no sense. Instead, I encourage you to lay it at the foot of the cross. Jesus took all our anxiety, stress, needs and brokenness upon himself when he died for us on the cross. He has it all handled and he will help us manage and solve our problems when we partner with him. He cares for youGod's love is beyond anything we can imagine. No love on earth can even remotely compare. He loves us with an agape love, which is unconditional. There is NOTHING you could do that would cause God to love you any less. He is ALWAYS ready and willing to welcome you with open arms. You are loved. You are chosen. You are valued. If you are full of anxiety or have a heavy burden, come to Jesus. He will help you and love you with a love beyond your comprehension. Tuck that in your heart today. Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you that your word instructs us to cast all our cares on you. You have big shoulders, and you can handle it. Help us to trust you and fully comprehend how wide, how long, how high and how deep, your love truly is for us. In Jesus' name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Dana
Copyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
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