Rise Up and Walk

…he went with them…walking and jumping, and praising God.

Acts 3:8b

Every year at the end of school I take down whatever is left up on my big bulletin board in the hall of the private school where I teach. Immediately thereafter my dilemma begins. What am I going to put up there for the beginning of next the school year?

I want something fresh, something exciting, and something that every student in our school can participate in. And so begins the summer of worrying about a new inspiration for the coming year.

Now I know that worrying about something does not change the outcome in any way, shape, or fashion, but there I go. I start looking on websites at the beginning of the summer. I try Pinterest. I even bounce ideas off of friends.

This year, a few days before our teacher in-service started, while shopping, I noticed some colorful jump ropes. The thought came to me that I should buy some to use as decorations on the board, so I did. Even still I had no idea how or what theme they would go with for a back to school bulletin board.  

I stewed and thought and worried and wondered what I could do with that board.

One morning while reading my Bible a couple of days before school was to begin, this little scripture song came to me that I had not thought about in a long time. “They were jumping and leaping and praising God, jumping and leaping and praising God. In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up sinner and walk."

I could not believe it. That verse went perfectly with jump ropes. The kids could all decorate a cut-out of themselves and I could place them on the jump ropes on the board along with that verse.

Wow! When it came down to the last moment, God had given me the idea that I needed.  All of my worrying and frustration did not make one bit of difference.  

God provided exactly what I needed at the exact moment I needed it. I started my school year with not only a song in my heart, but also with a valuable lesson as well.

God, thank you so much being our Provider.

Susan Partida