Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV
Have you heard these kinds of comments from teachers?
“Wow, did you see how tall Jeremy got over the summer?”
“Where did Emily’s front teeth go?”
“Georgia, you look great! Isn’t it wonderful to get a good rest?”
The beginning of the school year is the best time of the year! We love to reconnect with old acquaintances, see former students, plan new things, and hope for wonderful times throughout the year. It’s a time for new beginnings. No other profession gives a person a second chance to “get it right” every year (or every semester).
Maybe we had a difficult class last year and felt burned out by it. This year could be different! Or, perhaps the Lord has prepared us in some way, or not, for a troublesome group through which we will learn total, daily dependence on Him like we have no other year. Perhaps we made a good many mistakes last year that we would like to correct. God is the God of another chance.
There will be chances to connect with students with particular skills and needs, like no other students we’ve ever taught. We will have a chance like no other year to develop the teaching skills we need. What an exciting adventure we embark on every September.
God wants us to make Him part of our outlook for this year. Believe that He has divinely appointed you to your particular school, students, and administrator, at this particular time. He wants to do a new thing, not only in the lives of our “new” students, but in our lives as well. Trust Him and hope in Him for the “never before year” you are about to experience.
Lord, may I know afresh this day that You have appointed me for this classroom, these students, and my co-workers. Thank You. Amen.
Copyright Shirley Wilson.
Shirley is a retired Christian Educators member and a former board member of Christian Educators.
