In The Wilderness
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. Come just as you are, bringing whatever is on your heart today. Take a few moments and allow yourself to just be. Take a couple deep breaths, grab yourself a cup of coffee, light a candle, do something that brings you comfort. Allow yourself to be present in this moment.
Sometimes, we must walk through the wilderness to discover our purpose.
Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.
- A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Give yourself fully to God. God will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in God’s love than in your weakness.
- Mother Teresa
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Food for Thought
From my father’s pulpit, I can still hear the words, “the Lenten season is among us.” But I didn’t quite know what it meant other than his stole had changed colors, and the chatter of the congregation was centered around what to give up for the season of Lent. During this time, my father and many others would mark their foreheads with ashes and say, “You are dust and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19).
But what was Lent, and what did it mean? What was this sacrifice of food, indulgence, action, or desire? What was it like for Jesus to starve in the wilderness for forty days with temptations? Can sacrifice strengthen our relationship with God and allow us to be more intentional about our prayers?
The older I get, the more I am focused on my relationship with God. To do this, I must not only acknowledge and appreciate Jesus’ journey in the wilderness, but also understand that the Lenten season is about my own trials and tribulations in my own wilderness. I must reckon with my fears and put my trust in God, believing that God is the ultimate guide.
One of the platforms God has given me is the position as a leader in education. I have served several schools in 25 years as a teacher and administrator. I am currently serving at the helm of four of those schools, totaling nearly 1,800 children under my care. That’s a daunting task. I sometimes wonder how I got here. I live in the fear that I will fail these young eyes that are looking to my guidance. In this wilderness, I am afraid of failure - I am afraid of disappointment - and I am daily tempted by my fear to just give in or give up. It is in these moments that the season of Lent reminds me to trust that God is with us as we walk in the wilderness. This season also reminds me that living a life that is faithful to God means facing hard questions and opening ourselves up to new experiences even when we are afraid.
Five years ago, I discovered that social media offered me the platform to serve through the art of photography. I was able to give parents a glimpse into our daily school lives and into my personal life as a wife, mother, sister, and daughter. It allowed me to connect to my community in a way that I wasn’t able to before.
But it required sacrifices from me, too. Opening up through social media has required vulnerability, continuing this platform has required dedication and intentionality, and the motivation to connect has required that I be purposeful and conscientious in my posts. I choose to stay away from alienating messages, but I also choose to be very open about my Christian faith. The journey continues to open me to God and to these students, families, and colleagues of mine who are part of my community. It is an intentional decision to be purposeful with these posts, and the message behind them, as we continue living together in this world that Christ loved and has called me to serve.
The journey is long, the wilderness has both fear and temptations, but when I feel overwhelmed, I turn to God. Even as we move toward Easter, I have learned that, in some ways, the Lenten season will always be among us - prodding us in every season to live faithfully the life to which God has called us.
The “In The Wilderness” Journaling Page provides seven daily thoughts of reflection and journaling prompts that tie back into this week’s story! You can print it, forward it to a friend, use it as inspiration for your own journaling practice (or group conversations), or maybe just use it as food for thought in your own quiet time!
What is a fun, creative way that you can connect with your community through something you love? Perhaps you could share photos of your favorite hobby, blog about a new adventure you’re undertaking, or offer lessons on a craft at which you’re particularly skilled?
Blessing
Loving God,
Thank you for your ever-present guidance
as we navigate the wildernesses of our lives.
Help us to place our trust in you
as we journey toward the purposes
you have called us to live into.
A little Table Talk for your table...
Share about a time that you felt like you were wandering through a wilderness.
In what ways were you able to experience God during that time?
Discuss with a friend what purpose you feel God is calling you to in your life and the sacrifices that have been required of you to fulfill it. If you find yourself still searching for a purpose, share about that as well.
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Discuss with your child how life is like a journey. Ask them who has been a friend or has helped them on their way.
Talk together about some creative ways to connect with their friends along life’s journey (pen pals, game nights, etc.).
Have your kiddos share at least one activity that they love to do. Make a list, and try one of them. Save the rest for future fun!
Meet Our Welcoming Voice!
Dr. Liz Snyder is a North Carolinian who has earned her bachelor’s degree in English, as well as her master's and doctoral degrees in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She began her career in school administration in 2005 and has had the honor of being selected as the 2018 Cabarrus County Schools Principal of the Year. She currently serves as the principal of West Cabarrus High School.
To hear more from Dr. Snyder throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!
If you have a story that you would like to be included as a Reader's Write feature, we would love for you to send it our way! You can email us directly at thewelcometableco@gmail.com.
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