THE SOLO

God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10, NIV “Pardon me, Mrs. Wilson? Is that you?”  I saw a beautiful young woman come running after me as I was leaving the local pizza […]

THIS WAS A GOD THING

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. Psalm 139:1-4, NIV […]

FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. Psalm 68:5, NIV Have you ever wondered if some of your students are carrying grief? Maybe some have lost a parent, and you might not even know it. Loss like that can shape a child’s world in profound ways, often […]

THE PARKING LOT SANCTUARY

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7, KJV  How do you begin your school day? Do you rush from the […]

ENEMIES

“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4, NIV A few years ago, my husband’s job led us to move to a new city, one three hours away from where I had taught for the last 22 years. […]

APPROACHABLE

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:10, NIV Sitting amongst a large group of students, I asked them to talk to me about school. I wanted to know what they liked […]

WHEN GOD ASKS YOU TO DO THE HARD THINGS

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13, NKJV It happens in schools all the time. You sense that nudge in your spirit about a conversation you know you need to have with a colleague, student, or even a parent. Maybe it’s a volunteer who means well but interacts harshly with […]

CARPOOL

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV It was a Wednesday morning. […]

THE “TURKEYMAS” TREE

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21, NIV Every November, I put up a “Turkeymas” tree—a lighthearted tradition with a Thanksgiving twist that entails placing a big stuffed turkey in the middle of a Christmas tree. Students enjoy decorating the tree with literary vocabulary ornaments, creating a warm atmosphere […]

RENOVATED

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:18, NIV It was no surprise that my elementary school—the oldest building in town—needed renovations. There was no way around it. And the process […]