As a group, we teachers have to put up with an awful lot of stuff that can wear a person down. Headstrong Pre-K children who want to run their own programs; Kindergarten children who are still crying in the morning after three weeks of school; First through Fourth graders who you have to wonder how they got as far as they have, and back again to headstrong Fifth-graders who want to run their own programs. During the day, it is not unusual to see a momentary grim look on more than one teacher's face.
On the other hand, I would ask you to think about all that the Lord has to put up with from us. As Paul says, ain't none of us perfect. What grief we must give Him from day to day. I wonder if He's ever had a grim look on His face. Somehow, in spite of our records, I don't think so, not from the God of love. One of my favorite passages is found in Lamentations 3, where the writer points out that, except for His great mercy, we would cease to exist. And those mercies are renewed every morning. We can trust on it, He won't let us down. No matter how much I mess up, He'll still receive me with a smile when I come to Him.
If God is love, and I can't think otherwise, and we are to be like Him, what responsibilities does that put upon us when it comes to the children as they come in the door each morning? When I unload the buses, do I, can I, reach out in mercy to each child, even those I know will push the envelope to the limit during the day? When they enter the cafeteria for breakfast, move on to their classrooms, on to specials like PE, Music, Art or Media, is mercy waiting for them?
It is my prayer that each of us feels the warmth of His mercy and love, and are able to pass it on to the ones we rub shoulders with today.
Have a great day.
Dr. G
