For Laura's birthday, we went to a Japanese Steakhouse...yum!!!
Ugly Christmas sweater party!
So today I went into to school and things were the same...so hard and frustrating. To be honest, there have been days when I sit and think that I cannot be a teacher and that I must be crazy. However, I am always quickly reminded why I am here...it is so much more than a job. Each day with my kids seems to bring more ache to my heart as I hear more and more of their personal life beyond my classroom.
On Friday, my kids each got a shoebox from a Christian organization. I heard from other teachers that they were lame and just had some random hygiene things in them. Well, you would have thought that they were boxes of gold in my classroom. Each box had a Bible, some type of book, hat, scarf, gloves, toys, socks, and a toothbrush. They were modeling their new winter attire for me and prancing around the room at the end of the day. Side note....earlier that morning I had my kids sit down on the new reading beach blanket as I read them a story. I told them that they needed to take their shoes off in order to keep the blanket from getting really dirty each day. All of the kids listened and soon I heard, "Eww..." followed by "shut up and leave her alone." As I looked over, one of my little girls had white socks that appeared black with dirt. I quickly changed the subject and started reading. As I read, I noticed that she tried to pull her pants down some to cover her socks. This girl usually wears the same sweater each day. Part one of heart breaking!...Back to the shoe boxes. Well, later on, the kids again went on the blanket. While kids were taking their shoes off, I noticed this little girl switching out her socks for her new pair. Wow. Again my heart broke. What may seem like a stupid hygiene box to some is a treasure to others.
Today I found out that an old family friend's grand-baby died...only 2 years old. His mother wrote in a letter that through all of the pain of the loss and agony, she is so thankful that God chose her to be this little boy's mom...that she was the blessed one. Overwhelmed with this, I started thinking about my kids. I am so broken for these little lives. They are so much more than students. They are God's beloved. How his heart must break when they go home to unloving, abusive, and dysfunctional families. But how blessed am I that God entrusted me to get to spend the majority of the day just loving them.
God is continuing to remind me why I am here and to open my eyes to His hurting children. Today in my devotions I read about how God's mark of approval on our lives is the peace that He gives us. We know when we have surrendered and followed His will when we receive this peace. I am thankful for this peace in West Virginia. If that is not enough, I got a call yesterday from another school in Akron that I interviewed for. It was during the same time as my current job's interview. I soon found out that I was hired here and never did hear from the other school...until yesterday. They said that they lost a teacher and would love to welcome me to their team. Honestly, my first thought was HOME!!! Boo-ya!!! haha! Then I instantly thought of my kids and that there is no way that I would leave them. And that peace in the midst of frustration and challenge came again. My next thought was how awesome God was in ordaining my every move. That was one less obstacle to get me down here since they didn't offer me the job right away. Maybe I would have taken it. But God allowed everything to work together because this is where He wants me. I am so blessed tonight.
Please pray for my kids. Their stories are more than I can take but I know that God's shoulders are big enough. Pray that they would experience love in my classroom...a new kind of love. Praise the Lord for many many opportunities to share my love for God with them! Pray that this would continue as I incorporate the true meaning of Christmas these next few days. Pray that this Christmas maybe one of these little ones would have a new hope.
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