O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. Ps 108:1-2, KJV
“Jubilant! I feel jubilant! This is why I teach! Today’s class response made all the hard work worthwhile!”
“Horrible. The worst day of my teaching career. How can I live through this one more day? I simply have no strength to put one foot in front of the other. I’m done!”
Are those responses from two different teachers? No. They are responses from one teacher on two different days.
I can’t imagine any other career that has as many highs and lows as teaching.
Why all of the highs and lows?
First, consider the number of students with single parents, an incarcerated relative, a sick animal, a new pimple, a recent fender bender, a parent out of work, or a romance problem. Then, consider the number of teachers with marital problems, financial stresses, elderly parents requiring care, fussy babies who are up all night, and big decisions looming ahead.
When I think of the number of complex personal problems that enter a classroom on any given day, it’s a wonder that anyone ever has a good day. But through God’s grace, we can have good days!
And if we do have a bad day, we can take our cares to the Lord. We can lay them at His feet and ask for His new mercies every morning. We can keep our hearts fixed on Him. When the next day arrives, we can have hope that today will be a good day.
Please go with me into this new day, Lord. Please let Your love show through me and draw someone to want to know You more. I pray for the salvation of all of my co-workers and students. I ask this in Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.
Copyright Cheryl Skid.
Cheryl is a retired Christian Educators member from Missouri.
