Keep my heart with all diligence!

I had a long day yesterday. My soul was downcast as my lack in life grabbed my mind and caused me to focus all my attention on the lack. I was only liberated when I talked to Yaqi at about 4am. Her passion and love for her students was expressed and felt through her short conversation with me over the msn. I then recalled a wonderful experience that I had a few hours ago when I went for BS.

A secondary school boy approached me and asked, "Hi. Are you Ms Goh? Do you remember me? I'm __________. I used to be from your TAF club." Yes. I do remember him as my student but I couldn't remember him to be in my TAF club. He's so fit and slim now!! He even told me that he's underweight now. I exclaimed and asked him why he had such a drastic change. He just smiled. He's now in the same church and even in the same zone!! I was shocked. The world is really so small.. especially in Spore. I was so glad to see and know that we are in the "same family" now.

That's the joy that I have as a teacher. I don't need them to tell me that I've impacted their lives or done something wonderful for them. Just the fact that they remember me and dared to approach me and talk to me warms my heart.

It was after the talk with Yaqi that I realised I actually had a wonderful evening before, during and after BS. Before BS, I met Terry, Kim and Eunice for dinner. Then we met Qin and Val at Riverwalk. Val walked out from the room she was in when she saw me and gave me a hug. After BS I met this wonderful ex-student and spent time with Xin, Eunice and MK. These little actions and time spent is worth me thanking and praising God for what He has done in my life.

Why is my soul so downcast over a PSP? I have focused on what I do not have and not what I do have. During BS, our BS teacher repeated this phrase a few times, "Guard your hearts!" It jumped at me. I really need to "Keep my heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." -Proverbs 4:23-

Dear Father,

I pray that I do not fall into the trap of the devil by focusing on the negative and lack in life. Holy Spirit, help me to fix my eyes on what God has already blessed me with and be thankful for the things in life. In every situation, I will praise God for His holiness and righteousness. Jesus, You have already won the battle against satan. Give me the power to overcome temptations, to dispel the negativity in my soul, remove bitterness in my heart and fill my heart with the wondrous love of God. Holy Spirit, help me to forget the painful past, forgive those who had hurt me and embrace the bright future full of hope and purpose. I am a city set on the hill that cannot be hidden. Fill my life with joy all over again. I AM the sunshine girl, a child of God, the one who brings joy and hope everywhere that I go.

Father, bless all those who are reading this and remind us to fix our eyes on the right things in life. Forgive those who had backslidden in our hearts. Restore our relationship with You. Lift up all the souls that are downcast, renew our minds and restore our vision of who You are in our life.

I thank You and bless Your Holy Name. In Jesus' name. Amen.

P/S: Thank you, Yaqi. You have not known how much you have impacted me with your enthusiasm and love for the students. You are a great teacher!