The morning is still, and I am perched on the bar stool in my
kitchen, savoring a cup of coffee and spending time with the Lord. I look out
my window and see that sunshine is flooding my garden. The washing machine
hums. I don’t have to be anywhere at a certain time; the day is mine.
All that will change in a few months. On August mornings I
will quickly down that cup of coffee as I keep one eye, not on the window where
the dim light of daybreak will gradually intensify, but on the clock. I will
dash off to school, where the hallways will already be bustling with activity,
and a roomful of energetic, needy little friends will await me.
As I thought about the frantic mornings that I foresee, the
Lord spoke to me in the quiet of my imagination: “Don’t forget to pray for each
of those children in your care, for they are Mine. Each one is created in My image,
and I have a plan for each one. You see them as they are now, just beginning,
unfinished. I see what they will become.
“Look at the names on your class roster. There’s something special about the child
attached to each name. One has a winning smile.
Another has a generous heart. One
can build. Another can dance. One is a whiz with numbers. Another is a master
at music. One is an athlete. Another is a writer. One is a nurturer. Another is
a leader. One loves nature. Another loves the stage. And, remember, ---from the loudest and most
high-maintenance child to the quiet-as-a-mouse, often over looked child---each
one, at least in the eyes of his or her parents, is the most important child in
your room.
“Don’t categorize the children as Good Students or
Struggling Students or as Well-Behaved or Disruptive. Each one is unique; look
at the whole child. Yes, your goal is to
teach each one to read and write, add and subtract. They’ll need to know these things in order to
succeed in the world. But there are so
many other factors that contribute to a successful life. (And by successful I
mean a life in which they fulfill the purpose for which they were created.)
“Social skills are imperative. They’ll need to know how to
respect one another and work cooperatively. There are many successful people in
the world who were not A students but who have great people skills. They are friendly and caring, and others seek
out their company. You, as a teacher, need to model respectful and polite
behavior. Show them how to get along with each other.
“Perseverance is important.
Academic skills don’t come easy to everyone, but often the students who
struggle can surpass the intellectually gifted---if in their struggles they
have the drive and motivation to press on. You, as a teacher, need to inspire
your students to keep trying.
“And don’t forget to foster creativity. Don’t overlook that artistic child. His reading test scores may not be off the
charts, but oh, think of the gifts he can offer to the world if you foster his
talents and encourage him to develop them.”
“And,” God reminded me, “sometimes you are going to fail as
a teacher. Some days you will let that
one child aggravate you. Another student won’t make as much progress
as you hoped for her. But it will all
work out, if you remember the Single Most Important Thing You Must Do: you must
introduce them to Me. Let them know that their Creator loves them and is
ever-present to help them. Let them know
that My Holy Spirit can fill them and provide all of the guidance and the love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control that they need to navigate their world. When they mess up, I am
here to offer forgiveness to them (and to their teacher, too).
“Love them and lean on Me.”
