stronger than a donut…
since working with children i have collected some of the funniest, heart felt stories in the world. this one i think could take the cake. this past sunday a 2nd grade boy got kicked out of his class for his behavior. I was called in as reinforcement to handled the trouble maker.
I said “Jacob” why are you out in the hall. He, with his head hung low shamefully said, “because I wasn’t attention and i was goofing off.” when i inquired why he answered “i think it is because of the donut I ate this morning. it had a lot of sugar in it.” I said “well maybe we shouldn’t eat donuts in the morning.” he agreed. but I didn’t want him to use his little sugary sprinkled delight as an esacpe goat. I asked him “Aren’t you stronger than a donut, though.” “Yeah, but there was a lot of sugar, ” was his response- his eye wider than humanly possibly now.
then I asked “Do you think God is stronger than a donut.” (laughing in my head- i can’t believe i just asked that question). “Jacob” giggled somewhat and said “Yeah!” I said what do you think we should do to help us plan attention in class. He said with very adult hand gestures “I can just stop and tell myself to calm down” (drawing out the calm down for effect). I agreed but then asked him “What if we asked God to calm us down and focus our heart and mind, do you think he would help us.” A small tiny light went off in Jacob’s head. “Yeah” hopefully next week I will have time to pray with little Jacob so he can focus on what God wants him to hear and stop blaming his breakfast food for his bad behavior.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)with love, fall…
do you ever have days where you can taste the goodness in the air? maybe it is the crisp cool mornings or the warm colors evolving elegantly across the edges of the landscape. summer finally giving up and fall is walking in like an old friend, inviting you to come with her, to join the sweet melody of tranistion and change. today i went along, basked in the joy…observed every moment..breathe in that cool air that somehow warms your soul.
my day was nothing extravengent, just my sandels, a camera and a small town. yet i was able to let go of the ‘ought’ (as someone put it) and just be. i walked around a town no bigger than a thimble and meet more smiles than not. i truly felt alive, something that our cubicle kind of world doesn’t have room for anymore. but fall drew me out of my seriousiness and into simplicity of the day.
i’m not a hugger (those closest to me will atest)- i don’t give hugs and usually the first to pull away when reciving one. how i’m wired i guess. but today i feel like fall surrounded me and i embraced it. i’m not sure what i embraced..maybe that all things must go, a all things will change, and i have no idea what will happen next. despite that disconcerting truth-i love a God that doesn’t ever let go no matter how ugly it gets. He never changes and authored every moment for all eternity. and the best part is He loved me (and you) first.
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the life i never wanted
A year ago I was walking across a stage in step with pomp and circumstance. i was walking out into the world. i packed up my dorm, gave hugs …trying so hard not to let go. this was my life. four years doesn’t seem like much…but the memories i have both miserable and incredible could fill a dozen lifetimes. the question looming, buzzing through the air was “what are you going to do next?” A question i vow never to say to any graduating senior, yet the question always arises. “what will i do with my life?” that was a hard question because the life that i knew was over. the cocoon was opening to let me fly, yet I wanted to stay back and eat leaves. but change must happen..it will happen. after moving back home…things didn’t get back to normal. don’t get me wrong i will always belong at home; however, it didn’t fit anymore. it seems like i didn’t fit anywhere. it was some kind of life purgatory where I couldn’t go back to college and I couldn’t move forward either. I was stuck.
i got a call. “Sorry you just didn’t fit for this position.” i got another one “Unfortunately, we need someone with more experience.” day after day, week after week a cycle of what seemed as endless rejection. The job in DC, I knew i would get said it wasn’t a good fit also. i got angry. i think it could be the just time i ever screamed at God. i didn’t know what to do. the phone rang one last time. DC called again. (maybe another position opened up. graphic design possibly) “We want you!” (finally someone) “It’s a Children’s ministry position!” (hold the phone- KIDS, you want me to work with KIDS!).
For most of my later teenage through college years I wanted to work with high schoolers. My resume proclaimed all the youth groups I’ve worked in, the conference my friends and I built from nothing but a dream. I mean I fit the youth ministry culture to a tee! I didn’t baby-sit much. I always joked about me and a large group of small children would never mix- along the same lines as oil and water. And now I was being asked to take a position in 2nd and 3rd grade at a mega church. I would have around 250 kids on a given Sunday to tend to. WHAT! You’ve got to be kidding me. ….
my older brother told me a couple years ago that “God is not in the business of keeping the status quo…enjoy the surprises God has for you along the way.” I just remembered that the other day. I think he was referring to the fact that I was still single at 21 when the rest of my family had gotten married by then. Well, I’m almost 24 years old, still single and doing children’s ministry. A life i never wanted- but enjoy all the same. and no i don’t have rose colored glasses on and think my life is perfect. there are moments where i hate it. the stress is too high- i fall short of expectations of me, i don’t have a permanent date on friday nights. but that is life… we must take it al-l the miserable and the incredible. and for the most part…the incredible moments are so overwhelming wonderful…the misery seems to fade into the background.
God is taking me down a road that wasn’t on my map. the signs are different and people are unfamiliar, the tasks have changed… but He has and will remain the same and His plans will never waver. I’ve been in full-time ministry for almost a year now. so much as happen since that graduation day and I would not trade any of it for the world…i have enough memories to fill a dozen lifetimes….
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (1)Seasons are Changing
Well Fall is finally here in the South… The way to work is prettier every day. All the leaves seem to jump off the trees in vibrant yellows and reds and dance their way to the ground.
I feel like the seasons of my life are starting to look a little different too. I’m pretty much settled in Virginia. I’m doing better at my job…well I feel less like I’m failing everyday so that is good. I am learning a thing or two about Children’s ministry. (even though I have yet to touch the stack of books my boss left on my desk concerning the subject).
I went home for the first time in four months. I needed it! My best friend Sarah was getting married to my friend Topher. It was a celebration of love and sweet friendship. My prayer was that I would have a blast, but I would want to come home to Virginia. I was afraid I would miss my old life too much and be utterly devestated to get back on the plane for Washington D.C.
My prayer was answered. My weekend was the best I’ve had in a long time. I truly feel like I was intentional with most of my friends and they were with me. I really tried to ask the questions that would go deeper than just the surface of fun and laughter. I wanted to hear their hearts. I got to hear so many stories of God is doing in their lives. I was in Heaven.
How can I trully express my affection for my friends from college. There is an unconditional love that grows with time. There is a closeness that I haven’t expereinced with any other group of friends. I am the person, the Christian, the friend I am today becuase Laura, Sarah, Dave, Mal, Hannah Toph, Huck, Trish, Emily, Shan, Whitney and many others have demanded total transperancy but have loved me despite my weaknesses. The roots of these relationships have started years ago and I have loved watching God take them and change them into the amazing gift I have today. I will always be able to pick up right where we left off with these friends. Even though it is sad to no longer have the priviledge to see them daily, I take them wherever I go, I tell about how wonderful they are, I hold our memories in my heart.
The weekend was wonderful. I laughed hard about old and new stories. I cried when Topher saw the love of his life..my best friend Sarah walking down the aisle. Danced the night way with friends, lit up the night sky in small town American to wish the newly weds well, and gave friends a teary hug goodbye.
As I got on the plane, a feeling swelled in my heart. I was leaving a wonderful place that I love so dearly, but I was going to a place that is wonderful and has my heart twisted all around it. How blessed am I , I said as my heart jumped.
What can I say about my new friends here? I walked in only knowing a few names and a few faces, but God in His awesome grace has blew my mind and heart away by these beloved people. They just love me, with all my silliness, my quirks and struggles. I feel like I am loved to the core of my being. These people have not just become my dear dear friends, but my family. They have held me up when I’m sad and lonley. They have spurred my relationship with God to the highest and holiest standard. They laugh with me, play with me, and they pray with me. The Lord is taking me on a journey.. I have no idea what is beyond the horizon but my heart is happy to know the people, the friends to my left and right are good, wise, compassionate, godly men and women to share this road with.
My favorite Christian speaker said once. “I am home wherever I am, because Christ is my home.” I have come to hold on to that truth in my days of homesickness and loneliness. But I can say that truthfully now. Wherever I go, whatever friend I am with, whatever situation that arises I am HOME.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)A day in the life
Hello All,
Well I have been in Virginia for a little over a month now. I’m getting use to my job these days so I wanted to fill you in on a day in the life of Abby Gustine.
Sunday’s are my busiest days. I get to the church at 8am my boss, Betsy and I set up for the service. I work the three morning services at 9, 10:45 and 12:30 for 2nd and 3rd graders. We first have large group time which is high energy that usually involves jumping around and singing! Then we move to our small group time where the kids divide up by grade and gender.
My job title is Small group coordinator, which means I encourage, empower and equip some group leaders to lead the small group time. I love this job because I love people!
The 12:30 is over I leave to grab a quick bite to eat and head back to the church for the evening service. During the night service I’m the full blown coordinator so from worship leaders-to greeters I’m in charge of. The kids range from k-5 as well!
My Sunday usually ends around 7:30ish where I go home and fall right to sleep!
Mondays. I get to work around 10ish-5, and then I head to the city for church. Since I don’t go to a church service on Sunday Mclean Bible has a church in Arlington that I go too. So you could probably say that my Sunday and Mondays are busy! (But great-it’s why I do all the work the rest of the week).
Wednesday are pretty much devoted to The Future Leaders Program. This is time where all the future leaders’ interns gather together for Bible Study, prayer, and leadership training. I cherish these times. I truly love every intern here. We all mesh pretty well together.
Thursdays are the new Fridays! I’m off on Friday and Saturday (which I’m still getting use too) Tuesdays and Thursdays are office days were I work on curriculum for the fall and training material for the volunteers.
I have a big job, most days I feel very inadequate. But the Lord is gracious and is teaching me to depend on His strength and wisdom to get me through each day!
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unfamillar:peace
well, i have been here a week. it is amazing that my life has changed so much in one week. I sat in a Starbucks this morning, a common place for me to sit and ponder life, read, laugh with a friend. I realized as I was sitting in such a famillar place but everything was unfamillar. the life that I now ponder is completely different. I have traded in text books for practical leadership guides and my friends even though they remind me of the ones I left in Chicago are altogether unique. but i still laugh so hard tears come down my cheeks.
with all the unfamillararity i have peace. the Lord has overwhelmed me with His peace that surpasses all understanding. Here in this new place I will learn and grow. I will change into the person He desires me to be. This is not my story but His which He has invited me into.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)Moving to Virginia
Hello Friends,
I finally finished college! Amen! I’m moving out to Virginia in less than a week to work at a church in the children’s department. I’m the new Small Group Coordinator for 2-3 graders. I’ve started this website so you can keep track of my new life and tag-along with me as I discover what God has in store for me out east. I convet your prayers as I embark on this new chapter of my life. much love me
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