Counselor’s Corner Issue 28

Dear Busy-Bees,

This last Sunday as I sat on my front porch with a hot drink, I noticed an occasional bee zoom past toward the house. Curious, my eyes followed each insect as they flew to the windowsill and disappeared. "Where are they going?" I wondered, assuming that the strong brick exterior of our home would be a natural defense against pests. However, upon closer inspection, I could see a small hole in the caulking that was big enough to allow bugs through and invade the interior wall. These little guys, seemingly harmless in size, were using that tiny hole to invade the interior wall and cause a BIG PROBLEM! I knew it was time to consult the House-Builder for fortification and re-strengthening.

Immediately, my mind went to all the things that have been "bugging" me this week: The conflicts, the to-dos, the end-of-year-busyness. I was struck with the fact that, like my house, I was vulnerable because my there was a hole in my strong defense. Having allowed myself to get caught in a never-ending work cycle, I had not been fortifying myself in God's protection. Without that intentionality, the little things had begun to "bug" me so that it was infecting my entire interior and causing a BIG PROBLEM!

I think of you, buzzing about your classroom ministering to the needs of so many. Like my house (and me), the tiny holes of self-doubt, student disregulation, and stakeholder discontent can cause you significant interior damage. This requires intentionality to continuously bring these holes to the "Heart-Builder" for fortification and re-strengthening. It's in these moments when you can claim the Psalm 91:2 promise that "He is [your] refuge and [your] fortress, in whom [you] trust!"

Wishing you less "bugs" in the week to come,
Mindy