“Teach your
children well; teach them in your home and on the road." ~ Deuteronomy 6:6-7
It’d been a long, hard day at
work. As a high school teacher in her mid-thirties,
Sandra felt like she was ninety. When
each day finally ended, she boarded the bus and wondered where the kids that valued
learning went to school. Each day seemed
to take a little more out of her.
As an English teacher with 159 students, it took 28 days just
to grade their essays each semester (if she worked six-hour days with no
breaks). Classes were too large . . .
but also too short!
Time was the most valuable commodity teachers had. But class periods were often cut short by
drug, sex, social conscience, and ‘whatever’ education. That stuff really threw off dedicated
teachers. Sandra actually ached for more
instruction time with her students. She
hated the role of surrogate parent, clergy, cop, EMT, judge, janitor, secretary
and counselor.
Broken families made it tough to teach. Brilliant kids had to leave their comfortable
school and close friends because of family splits. Many kids – even those in high quality schools
– came to school incapable of learning because they were so upset. Tragically heartbreaking - it robbed even more
time from teaching.
Troubled teens had too much unsupervised time. Not surprisingly, they got into trouble. Newspapers were full of examples. Many parents allowed their children to run
around at night instead of doing homework, allowed kids to “fall in love”, and
all kinds of other crazy things. Then
they questioned why their child failed to graduate.
And don’t even talk to Sandra about the over-emphasis on
extra-curricular activities and sports. When did kids have time to be kids anymore?
Home now, Sandra collapsed on the couch trying to relax with
her eyes closed before starting dinner. Suddenly, she felt the cold, moist nose of their
little puppy curling up in a ball next to her.
Sandra smiled and petted him softly before opening her eyes again.
When she did, her sweet young daughter stood directly in
front of her holding a favorite children’s book. Sandra smiled. Innocent brown eyes begged for an early ‘story
time.’ Sandra bent over and pulled her
favorite student to her lap.
“Of course, Sweetie," she said as peace surrounded her
like a warm blanket. As she started to
read, fresh energy soon filled her body and spirit. Soon they were laughing at silly characters,
rooting for heroes and playfully scolding villains. Best of all, Sandra was teaching, and
sharing, and learning again. She knew then
that everything was going to be alright and silently thanked God for His love,
for their family, and for her extraordinary life.
Loving Father, we spend our lives seeking
happiness. Yet, sometimes all we need is to take a seat on the couch and wait as love climbs on our lap, peace curls up
by our side, and happiness fills our heart.
May we love as freely and joyfully as You intended. Amen
