A Power in Purpose

If you have teacher friends complaining that the COVID babies are struggling this year, believe them.  We have spent lots of time on addressing behaviors and figuring out triggers.  It's safe to say (and I will catch some grief for this) that our little people are coming to us screen-addicted, without structure, gently parented, and without some basic soft skills.  The result is a struggle to establish these things in a classroom setting and very poor behaviors are ensuing.

A very talented teacher came to me to talk this over.  She was overwhelmed and admitted to me that she prayed very hard each night that her students would behave each day.  She then said something that I know I will never forget.  She said she felt that God spoke to her during one of her prayers and reminded her that he was sending her to them because they needed her the most.  My mind was blown.

If we are being honest, regular people often see things from a victim's mentality.  Why is this happening to me?  What did I do to deserve this?  If you are a Christian, you should not.  We often ask why bad things happen to good people.  My pastor's answer for this is that God will always remind you that you should lean on him when times are bad.  We have to trust that God is placing us in positions to execute his purpose for us.  Even if it feels ugly.  Author Jon Gordon posted a graphic once that said, "God will often make you go through a life change so you will become someone who changes lives."  This seems to be the spirit of my discussion with this teacher.

I'm not known to be outwardly religious, but I am a Red Letter Christian.  What that teacher said to me was refreshing.  It reminded me of my purpose.  I have lots of hard days and deal with many challenging situations and people.  I was reminded that God placed me there for that purpose.  Teachers, God placed you in your classrooms to serve your students.  That service is stressful and emotionally draining (preaching to the choir), but it is what Christ asks of us.  "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."

If you are in a classroom teaching or serving as a paraprofessional, I truly believe that you are part of the one percent of the population that can actually do this work.  Many will try to how to do your job, but you are special, so keep your head up.  God sent you to your students and your communities.  I feel a sense of honor in this work because it was a powerful purpose given to me by God.  This makes my purpose not just service to others as Christ would want, but I'm following the plan that God has for me.  Even if there are bad days.

Teacher friends, it's going to be okay.  Understand the power of your purpose and know you are important to your students and your co-workers.  If they didn't have you, who might they end up with?  Trust God's plan.