Mid-January through March (and sometimes April), can be a hard season in Minnesota. Bitter cold, tons of snow, slick roads, multiple days of indoor recess, and limited daylight can take a toll. Even for those in places less severe than Minnesota, this tends to be a challenging time for students and families which then spills onto educators as well.
How do we find light during a season of the year when there is so much darkness?
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4, NIV
Rebuild a routine. Is it dark outside when you get to school and when you leave like it is for me? During this time of year, I have to be intentional about including time in my day for activities that continue to fuel and feed my faith. For example, I started a new devotional this past month and switched up my morning journal prompts. By adding this new activity, I am finding a new way to build a deeper relationship with God.
Find the good, every day. In the months when it seems like everyone is down, it can be easy to lose sight of the good things happening around you. Try keeping a journal at work to note at least three things you can thank God for that happen each day. It could be an interaction with a student, a connection with a parent, or maybe a surprise conversation with your administrator that left you with a smile. By writing these down, you can start to see more of the good and find a better perspective.
Peace in the Process. Pause and seek peace in the midst of a hectic day, remembering that God is always listening and can provide solace during challenging times. Grades are due, benchmarking needs to get done, and you have to cover indoor recess and make up for a few snow days—while there is always so much to get done, there is always time to pause and pray. Seeking a few minutes of peace in the day could be just what you need to remember He is always listening.
By grounding in Scripture, recalibrating with faith, rebuilding routines, finding daily gratitude, and seeking peace in the process, Christian educators can navigate the bleak midwinter with resilience and a renewed sense of purpose. Together, let’s discover and share the light that faith brings to our darkest days.
As we navigate this bleak season, let’s share our experiences. By coming together as a community of educators, we can offer support, inspiration, and shared wisdom to brighten the path for one another. In what ways have you found light during this dark season? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!
2 Responses
What a great reminder to be intentional about looking for the light. In our drop-off prayer this morning, my kids and I thanked God that it was light outside when they got out of the car! What a confirmation of that prayer in this blogpost!
A new thing my husband and I have done this February is to put hearts on our kids’ doors each night to remind them of all the reasons why we love them. Each morning they wake up to a new heart with a new reason for why they are so lovable. This has been such a source of light for all of us – to the kids as a reminder of all the good things about themselves, and to my husband and I to see how much it means to them to be reminded.
I know both of these things are about my children and not teaching, but it’s been good to give back to my kids as opposed to giving all I’ve got to students.
Morgan, thank you for your example of grace and gratitude while shining a light on your children.