After a long day staring at a computer screen and hoping a cup of coffee will make me more alert, nothing brings life into my day like working with students and hearing how Jesus is working (and sometimes interrupting) their lives towards his purposes.

A few weeks ago I was sitting at my desk at my part-time office job. It was just after lunch and I was hitting the “3 pm brick wall”. It was my first day back after a week away and I was waiting for my third cup of coffee to kick in so I would be more alert. The day wasn’t particularly stressful; in fact, I had actually been able to complete some projects and do some needed maintenance on others. It was a day when I had minimal interruptions and distractions, and was experiencing one of my “ideal” days at the office. Yet, by mid-afternoon, I could barely stay focused on the task at hand.

Just then I received an email from one of my students, she had spent some time at a conference the week prior and had some very significant conversations and time in scripture. What came out of this week left her spinning, and as she was processing these encounters and an invitation to ministry, she asked to meet with me to discuss her options.

Now, this email came as a complete surprise, and also filled me with complete joy! This was the type of invitation I had hoped to make to this student but sadly was not able to during the school term! It was super exciting to receive this email, and also see that some of my hopes for this student were fulfilled despite my absence, and yet to still be invited in the process!

It was after this email and making plans to meet with this student, that I was alert and had the energy to push through the rest of the day! It became clear to me that nothing else in my life truly compares to the life-giving work of working with students and walking with them as they encounter Jesus and respond to his call!