Watermellons

The other day some of my friends bought a watermelon for a team meeting we were having. It was gorgeous and beautiful and we were all very excited to cut it open and enjoy some delicious fruit. We brought the watermelon inside and expectantly cut it open, ready to see juicy red fruity goodness. After the initial slice, we all stared in shock at what greeted us, the whole watermelon on the inside was completely white. It was a bad fruit. We were tricked into buying a fruit which was unripe,bitter, and could not be eaten. 


It is a funny story, but also a good warning. The outside can be misleading, it is the heart which really matters. While the shell can seem like good fruit, what really matters is whether the inside is ripe and ready. This week has been a week where I have spent alot of time praying about my heart towards this country, these people, and the work we are doing here. I dont want to be a beautiful watermelon that when cut open is only white and bitter, I want my heart to be sweet and tender despite the complexities and hardships of life here. 


This week I refocused on my primary responsiblity here, which is loving and planting seeds of Jesus into my 23 beautiful children.  I worked on loving them better, listening with more patience, and being a stronger light in their lives. This week was amazing in regards to my classroom. My kids and I have had some wonderful conversations about God and who he is and how much he loves each and everyone of us. I have felt my heart growing softer and kinder towards these children whom God has blessed me with.  This refocusing has completely changed my perspective on my life and work here . My kids are my number one "work" and really focusing on them this week has begun to bear some wonderful fruit, which is coming from the overflow of a more gracious heart.