043008, Thursday. I’ve started my first bible class last March. So far it has been so difficult for me to keep up with all the requirements. I am supposed to turn in about 24 assignments, a term paper, a book report, and I need to review for a final exam. I made a plan for me to follow to ensure that I finish within 4 months, which is the time frame given for each course. With my schedule— being in school where I work as a preschool teacher from 6:30am to 3:30am, taking care of Blaise from the time I get home until 7pm, doing unfinished work at home, etc., I hardly have time to actually work on these papers. Among the few times I get to actually listen to the lectures is when I’m getting my classroom ready (and wiping toilet seats, urinals, and sinks) for half an hour until my nephew arrives at 7am.
What I’ve been doing so I can get some home work done is to let my nephew, Blaise stay in school for an extra hour and a half each day. Then I’d be in my car, reading my books or listening some more lectures. One day I had an idea that I could use one of the rooms in our building which my preschool rents rather than staying in the car. Studying in a room is more conducive to learning and has lesser distractions. Starting the Monday of that week, I’d sneak in there and study for about half an hour or more. The next day when I was again studying, I paused and a thought came to mind. I was suddenly thinking whether what I was doing justified my purpose. I was actually stealing from my boss who owns the school where I work and where Blaise goes to. I let Blaise stay longer without paying for it so I had more time to study. It really convicted me but then I brushed it aside and thought, “God would understand. I’m doing it for Him.”
Wednesday afternoon, I was still thinking about it. Wednesday night was midweek service and our pastor took the day off so our co-pastor led the sermon. We were actually studying the book of Jeremiah, but since our pastor was away, our co-pastor had the option to teach another book and he chose 1st Timothy 6. Verse 2 says, “And those believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exort these things.” After explaining this verse our co-pastor asks, if it’s okay to use company time to do our devotions even if our master is a believer thinking he’d understand? And I’m like, “Oh noo!!! The Lord has indeed been speaking to me all this time!” It was not my imagination that I was bothered by extending Blaise’s time in school and not paying for it. God really wants me to turn away and repent of this sin. So I left the service with a somewhat heavy heart because God confirmed that indeed what I was doing was wrong.
That night I prayed, pouring out my heart to God about it. I really want to continue with all my classes but I just didn’t have any options left for me do so. I could not afford to pay an extra $200/month for Blaise to stay an hour longer each day. So I told God, that I have no choice but to discontinue school after I’m done with my first course. I asked His forgiveness for what I’ve done and for trying to justify it in His name. I was really, really sad that night.
The next morning, I get a call at about 7am in the school where I work. My boss asks me, “So, how’s your school going?” (She knows about it because I needed her to write me a recommendation letter.) I told her I’m way behind schedule with my assignments since it has been so challenging for me to balance work, writing my papers, and baby sitting. So she goes, “Here’s what you do. Leave Blaise until 5:30, work in the vacant room so you can get your homework done.” I wanted to cry right there and then!!! I was so grateful for the go signal of my boss, but the main thing that moved me was God answering my prayer so quickly!!! I was at my wits end but God provided a way, an answer. I was so happy the whole day. I couldn’t even concentrate studying that afternoon because all I wanted to do was to praise and thank Him for hearing my cry for help.
Ha! Since then, I’ve finished the book report. Woohoo!!! I can actually meet the deadline, thanks to Him, praises to the King! (Music playing in my head, while I’m grooving to the beat as I’m writing this blog: Gary V’s, “Shout for Joy!” Woah, I can’t stop grooving. I am glad!!!)
