JOY was the word that was given to me by the Holy Spirit for my word in the past academic year; and Zephaniah 3:17 was the Bible verse for my word. I wasn’t really sure what it meant since I was looking at the word from my perspective and thought I’ll have more joy – perhaps that my circumstances will change and I’ll be happy about the changes. I was a little perplexed why this Bible verse was given for my word of the year. Now that the academic year is over, I think I understand why.

After a very disappointing end of the academic year with all my activism and prayers going no where, I fell into short-term depression and confusion. I don’t really know how God does it but every time I’m brought low; He lifts me up again and like an energizer bunny commercial he puts a new battery in me and I see myself going again!

Few days ago as I was still sad about the loss, and reflecting on the word ‘Joy’ and ‘Zephaniah 3:17’, I felt a sweet touch from the Holy Spirit that God my father is proud of me and that I brought him joy! Just like a father who is proud of their child’s effort in working hard to win a competition; God is proud of me. He cared not for the outcome but rather he cared for me. This revelation gave me the new battery!

It looks like from this loss and mess, there will be a parent advocacy group or a parent watchdog that will be created. Please keep this in your prayers and also for my husband’s blessing in my involvement too. I desire to be one of the founding members and be involved until my son graduates high school in two years. As I see so much evils and wrongs have come into the public schools systems, I think that every school district should have a parent watchdog group. There is so much wasteful spending too.

I’m happy to know that God was proud of my work. He was simply a proud dad of his daughter – me. 😊 Here I go again with my new battery installed. Praise the Lord Jesus!

Proverbs 10:1 (NIV) – A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.