Light Bulb Moments

This past Friday, I took my American History class on a field trip to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The students had a great time learning more about our 16th president and I had a great time seeing the light bulb moments they had as we toured. Having been a teacher for a short period of time, I have not had many opportunities to see those instances where information taught in class "clicks" with things that are seen outside of class. I'm sure my fellow teachers have experienced those events many times, and I would wager to guess that they have the same sense of accomplishment and satisfaction I experienced on Friday.

One such instance occurred when we arrived at the portion of the exhibit that explained the 4 way race of the 1860 election in 21st century language and presentation. Tim Russert, host of Meet the Press, does a mock telecast laying out the details of each candidate's position and showing campaign ads for each of them. One student leaned over and said, "Miss Hohimer, you taught us about this!". I wanted to jump up and down and say "YES! And you remembered it!!!". This happened a couple of times throughout the day and even though there were the occasional "crazy kids" moments along the way, I will always take away the fact that I was able to plant a seed that grew a little bit more on Friday.

Today I had one of those light bulb moments of my own. I was reading along in a devotion book, trying to come up with something to talk about in my teacher's devotions next week, when I stumbled upon a story about Abraham Lincoln that I had forgotten.

When Lincoln left Springfield on the trip to Washington to begin his Presidency, he had a premonition that he wouldn't return to Springfield alive. In his farewell speech he said: "Today I leave you. I go to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon General Washington. The great God which guided him must help me. Without that assistance I shall surely fail; with it, I cannot fail."

I'm sure when Lincoln said these words, he had no idea what he would face over the next five years - a country torn apart, war, the death of a child, the madness of his wife, and crazy life in politics - but he did realize that without God's support and assistance nothing he put his hands to would be a success.

Lincoln had a much more challenging lifestyle than I do, but this is true in my life as well - God is concerend about my day. From the smallest to the largest task, He desires to guide my life and I need to let him.

So, life application lesson and hopefully "aha moment" of the day - God cares about our lives and if we seek and follow his direction and guidance, how can we fail?

I Chronicles 28:20 David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.