The Blind Side

I just went to see The Blind Side. I don't say this about many movies, but it is a must see. It is about an upper class white Tennessee family who takes in an underprivileged African American boy. But they do more than take him in. They become his family. They provide for his needs, give him opportunities and love him like he is their flesh and blood.

But the best part is that these were real people. And this just happened...in like 2005. It's good for the soul to hear that people are helping people. We get a snapshot into a truly selfless family. A family who did not have to give what they gave. And their son, Michael, did not become a statistic, like he probably would have been.

Hollywood won with this one. On the heels of movies like Orphan and Saw III which are heinous and utterly disgusting and degrading for the soul, finally, we get a movie that is uplifting. Not a single person in the theater (which was 95% full) got out of their seat throughout the whole 2 hour movie. No one even left until the credits had rolled and the pictures of the true life people had been shown.

But what is truly inspiring is we have the opportunity to be those people. We have the opportunity to change people. It doesn't have to be the take them in, clothe them, buy them a car kind, but we get to laugh, smile at, or simply give something away and change people.

It really does start with one step.

The Blind Side portrays a Christian family who gives of themselves, sacrifices their reputation and doesn't give up when people don't understand.

Shouldn't we be like that?

Great. Big. God.

So, I had this pretty sweet homeschooling/ tutoring gig. The key word in that sentence is "had". I got a call last week from the mom saying, "I've decided I don't need you anymore to help homeschool my son." I had no idea she was displeased with me. However, she clearly was.

First of all, that's a punch to the pride. Second of all, it was my job. Lame, I thought.

I had gotten a text this morning with the "we need to talk" line. How passive is a text? I mean, really? Then a phone call. Don't get me started on that. Passsssive.

Anyways, after the grievous news, I called a few people, shed a few tears, heard some encouraging words, and headed off to class (it was something to take my mind off of the previous events). I've trusted God before, so I can trust Him now. He knows He created me to like to shop, He knows what gas will cost per gallon next week, and He knows I am going to France for Christmas. He knows. So, after a quick freak out, and assessment of my current finances, I let it go. There's nothing I could do about it anyways. And heck, clearly that's not where He wanted me working.

Tuesday morning, I went to work out with a few teacher friends and mentioned these happenings to a friend. By 11:00 that morning, I had a voicemail with a job offer. Now, mind you, I got "let go" at 3:30 on Monday afternoon, so I was dumbfounded. Shocked. Excited. Scared. And completely in love with the God of the universe.

How's that for quick? By Friday, I had a sweet gig worked out till Christmas break. I work half days shadowing 2 Kindergarteners. I get to see my mom whenever I want. I got my own office. Two of my favorite people work here, both of whom I get to either eat lunch with or sit in on their class. And I get paid to do this? Unbelievable.

And that's just it. He's able to do more than we could ever imagine. He outsmarts us every day. He knew exactly what I would need and for how long I would need it. He knows where my heart is and who needs to help nurture it when I can't go any further. I'm convinced that up in Heaven He is orchestrating what these days will mean for my future.

So, honestly, I'm glad to have had to free fall for a little while. I'm glad God let me have a freak out, then fixed up something for me better than I could ever imagine.

He might know what He's doing after all :)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21