How many times have you heard the term (or one similar) “They’ve taken God out of public schools!”? I’ve heard it many, many times but so far it has failed to worry me. Don’t get me wrong, it saddens me that a teacher can actually get fired if he or she offends someone by praying aloud or teaching scripture in a public school. It saddens me that some school systems (not mine) have taken the phrase “under God” out of their daily Pledge of Allegiance. It frustrates and sometimes angers me that other religions seem to be tolerated so quickly, yet Christianity simply will not be tolerated in some public school systems. It makes me want to cry out “What are we doing?” But when I get completely worked up over laws and rights, I feel the gentle push of the Holy Spirit saying this to me: “When was the last time you were this sad over the fact that some kids never have clean clothes on? Were you this upset when the boy in time out over there didn’t come to school because no one got up to get him dressed and on the bus? Are you this passionate when the same child just doesn’t get it no matter how much you teach?” You see, if I’m not careful, I can so caught up in the idea of protecting my Christianity (which does have its place) that I forget to actually live my Christianity. And as a kindergarten/first grade teacher in a public school, I need to live my Christianity every second of every day. I’m not worried that God has been taken out of our public schools. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and Omnipresent. He is everywhere all the time, no matter what laws politicians make up. No man has the power to direct where God can and cannot be. God is in our schools. Jesus is in our schools. He is in the hearts of His believers. His love shines through us. Us. We are to be Jesus to the world. So, to the Christian teacher in a public school, I am in no way telling you to break the law or hinder your job! But I am reminding you (and mostly myself! :)) that it’s okay for you to bring Jesus into your classroom. We may not be able to explicitly teach the Bible and prayer to our students, but we can live the Word. We can live the way Jesus calls us to live. That’s what He’s called us to do, after all! We are just seed-planters. He is the one who saves. So how do we plant seeds? How do we live the Word when we can’t teach about the Word? We love. Oohhhhh my, this is so easy for me to say right now as I sit in my comfy chair. After two months, I’ve conveniently forgotten that I won’t be sitting again for about 10 months. Farewell, comfy chair. It’s so easy for me to talk about loving when I haven’t met that child that’s going to do their best to make me dislike them. It’s easy to talk about loving when I haven’t been in a stressful parent meeting, data meeting, in-service meeting, faculty meeting, and collaboration meeting when I really just need to get in my room and prepare! But in order to show the love of Jesus, we are called to love. What does love look like in a classroom? I was really convicted of this a few years ago as I went around blabbing to anyone who would listen how much I loved kindergarten and how much I loved teaching. What does true love look like? “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 How patient am I when my table is full of papers, files, and assessments and an unexpected parent meeting pops up during my prep time? How kind am I when the same child misbehaves time and time again? (That one hurts…) What about when that other teacher walks by with the perfect class in the hall and my class looks like a circus in comparison? Am I not just a bit envious? Or if it’s me with the perfect class, am I ever boastful or proud, even if it’s just in my head? I’ve just got what it takes to make these kids mind. My teaching must be top-notch…these kids are reading like second graders and it’s not even the first nine weeks! I’m soooooo good! With these verses above, I could go on and on about ways I don’t always show love as a teacher. I am grateful to a God who loves me in spite of me. And this year I am going to show His love, perhaps to little ones who have never experienced it in their own lives. I am going to be a seed planter, not by reading scriptures aloud at school, but by showing them in my actions. I am going to pray in my heart for patience, kindness, humility, trust, hope, perseverance… I am going to pray in my heart for my sweet little ones. 
You know the song “Jesus Loves Me”? There’s a line that I love. It says “Yes, Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so!” I’m so glad for His Word. I’m so glad that I can share it with my personal children, Parker and Peyton, and show them where it tells them that Jesus loves them. But what about those little ones who don’t know what a Bible is? How will they know that Jesus loves them? What about those little ones whose parents are so beaten by life that they haven’t shown their children God’s love? The Lord may place them in your room this year. He may put their name on your list. He may put them at my work table, in my story circle. I plan to show them the love of Jesus by simply loving them. Who will join me?
Sharing with friends at purposefulfaith.com, Tell His Story, andholleygerth.com.
My Story, My Song 
Very insightful Paige. Sometimes tho, the opportunity will arise for you to stand up for Christ, we all need to keep that in mind while we are showing his love to the world. Thank you for sharing this message with us.
Thank you for this post. Let us all be ready to take on the joys and challenges coming our way very soon.
I will join you in planting seeds and showing love:) I already know I have a very difficult child in my room this year, and there will be days where I will probably only be able to love her with Jesus’ help! Thank you for reminding me that we are Jesus to our students; that God is NOT removed from our public education classrooms…we only need invite him in by loving our students the way He does. GREAT post!
Thanks friend. I was in your place last year with that difficult student. I’ll be praying for an extra dose of blessing for you!
I chose to be a teacher in a public school for two reasons….if all the Christian teachers teach in private schools, who will be in the public schools to be a support and encouragement for the Christian kids there, and who will be there to be a light for the kids who have never had a chance to hear about Jesus. My parents and students know right away that I am a Christian as I constantly find ways to bring it in to a conversation, including mentioning it in my back to school night presentation to parents. More important than my words though, are my actions and how I love on my kids. Some days are tougher than others, but there always seems to be at least one child that will be the reminder for me that day of why I do what I do! Thank you for your reminder and words of encouragement as we all get ready to go back and be Jesus with skin on to the ones He is entrusting to our care once again for the next 9 months or so.
Totally agree Charlotte! I do the same on Meet The Teacher night. I pray you have a blessed year. It’s right upon us!!:)
In total agreement. I have been teaching for 7 years. I have always made it known at the initial parent meeting, where I stood. One of the questions that I ask parents/caregivers, right along with “Anything specific that you feel would help me teach your child more effectively?”, is “Would you object if I pray for your child throughout this year?” I believe it is an important part of being an effective teacher. To this day, I have never had a parent/caregiver say no, nor complain that I asked. I believe that parents/caregivers are more open to it than we are led to believe. Prayers for my fellow teachers for the year, to be blessed with Grace, Strength and Courage….:)
Yes! Yes, yes, yes. Well said, Paige. I taught in public school for 16 years, leaving to tutor privately. I always felt that I could show God to my students through teaching them how to love and modeling it for them in my actions. Your words here are encouraging to anyone in any career! We are all surrounded by people everyday who need to see the Jesus in us. I am sharing with my teacher friends. So glad we are link-up neighbors at Holley’s place today. Have a beautiful school year! xo
Thanks Aly! Glad to meet you!!! Thank you for sharing, friend!
Thanks Paige. I have used 1 Corinthians 13 in almost every wedding I have performed but I had never thought to use it in regard to my students. I have used other scripture for encouragement but this one covers so many things we encounter in our spirit. I will also pray for other Christian teachers that Jesus would be evident in them and for those who are not Christians that God’s love would be felt around them.
Thanks Greg! See you soon!:)
Thank you so very much for this post. I have been on maternity leave since mid January and have been dreading leaving my boys in August. Just recently God breathed a fresh desire to teach in me that has allowed me to actually look forward to returning to the classroom. Your post is a great encouragement.
I have boys also.:) One starts kindergarten this year! Praying blessings on your ministry of teaching this year!!!
Our oldest is going into 2nd grade and the twins start daycare next Monday. Thank you so much for your prayers. My prayer for this year is that I would intentionally refresh and refill my basket of spiritual fruit so I have an abundance to share with my family, friends, colleagues, students, and their parents. I’ll be praying for you as well!
Thanks! My oldest is going to 2nd too! 🙂
Reblogged this on Catalyst Movement and commented:
An uplifting and encouraging call for teachers to live out our faith.
My credentials are: MEd OU and 38 years as a public school classroom teacher. Our school was threatened with lawsuit because of prayer in classroom, Bible used in classroom and teaching anything other than evolution as the origin of the universe or life. My answer was a question, “What federal law has been violated?”
The First Amendment begins “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;” Note the phrase “Congress shall make NO law”
Article. I. Section 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. Not the phrase “ALL legislative Powers” .
Because ONLY Congress can make a law and Congress canNOT make a law establishing or prohibiting religion, there can be NO federal law to be violated.
Dozens of my students have become public and private school teachers, international teachers for military and embasssy personnel children. Many are missionaries around the world. Some are teaching English as a third language in my foreign countries.
The founding fathers were wise in vesting the power of who, what, when, where and how education is done to the local school boards. ALCU in particular has threatened, coerced and intimidated our local school boards. That is the only problem I faced. But being a local pastor I was blessed with their trust in me.
Well said. I find public schools a wonderful place to show God’s love. He gives me so many opportunities. I hope I never become insensitive to His children. Thank you for writing.
Thank you!
I may have already posted this so sorry if it’s a duplicate.
I think your approach to sharing your beliefs in the classroom is perfect and appropriate; Show through your actions.
But as someone who is not a believer in God but a big proponent of our freedom of/from religion, I was wondering about the other religions you see tolerated in school above Christianity? In my experience, we have increased our awareness and acceptance of more (certainly not all) religions as a society but Christianity still holds firm as most common and most accepted. From my perspective, it’s seems like the changes of not allowing scripture an prayer is just bringing Christianity down a notch closer to what other religions have been experiencing for years and years. It’s still in first place though.
I certainly mean no disrespect; just curious about your perspective.
Thanks for commenting! My experience has been that any other religion is “tolerated” more than Christianity is tolerated. This may be just in my head, but I wouldn’t dare tell a person of another religion that he/she couldn’t practice that religion for fear of being called intolerant. But Christianity is not tolerated more and more as time goes on…again, though, instead of spending my time fretting and arguing, I’m going to show Jesus’ love, plant the seeds, and let Him do the rest! 🙂
Have a blessed day, friend!
I was happy to read twolivecolorfully’s comment and question as I too am a nonbeliever that believes in freedom both from and of religion. My non-belief is in great part because of my personal experience with Christians that acted with intolerance and not love. Perhaps if I had been surrounded by more people that believe like you do in showing love and acting on it, instead of criticizing and preaching, I would not find it as uncomfortable.
In my community we have Christians, Catholics, Jews, Hindus, and Muslims. I enjoy learning about all their religions, and I teach my children how important it is to embrace all of our neighbors and their cultures because in our family love and acceptance is what is most important. We believe that you show love with actions and good deeds.
It sounds like that is how you live your life as a teacher and I find that admirable! If only more people would either live the word and plant the seeds as you do, or act from the heart as I do, our world would be much better off. Does it matter why we do good work, or just that we are doing it?
I would be pleased to have a teacher like you teaching my youngest son.
Thanks for your kind words Kristine. Blessings to you and your family!
I agree with Kristine and twolivecolorfully. I am not what I would consider a total nonbeliever, but most Christians I know would argue with that because I don’t believe in evangelism or any need for public sharing of my personal beliefs. I think your perspective is awesome. I am about to go into my semester of student teaching, then my own classroom, and have two children of my own, and I am grateful for all of the teachers that my own kids have had that teach my children love and respect in the way that you are discussing. I do agree with twolivecolorfully that tolerance for religions other than Christianity is incredibly rare – my children have been persecuted more for not attending church (by Christians) than I can imagine those same children have been persecuted FOR their beliefs…. However, I suppose tolerance is all about perspective. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks.. I have been angry over the “They’ve (who ever they are) taken God out of schools, always wondering who thought they had that power. Quick story from my teaching days (retired for 7 tears): While walking with students to the lunch room, the boy who happened to be beside me that day asked if we said Grace before meals in our home and I told him that we did. His response, “I thought you did, you can kinda tell things like that.” He then explained that they didn’t at his house because we’re not together at meals that much.’ Like you said, just love them.
Teaching in a public school is a mission field and Christians who are in classrooms, offices and libraries are called to be there. I am librarian in a public middle school. Thank you for the reminder to let His light so shine that others may see Him.
Thanks Cyndi! Blessings to you!
I will be joining you!
Yay! Thanks Karla!
Beautiful article! I am hoping to get a job teaching soon.
Praying you will! Teaching is a wonderful ministry!
Beautifully written wise words! They are a great encouragement to me as I embark upon beginning my 18th year with a new group of Kinder Cuties. They are my treasure and my mission field. Blessings to you and may you have a fabulous year!
You too friend! Teaching is a wonderful ministry, isn’t it? I’m a bit partial to kindergarten myself!;) I love your term – Kinder Cuties!!!
Paige, thank you, thank you, thank you! Your words of encouragement are so profound and true. I am always dismayed when I hear sermon after sermon mention that God isn’t allowed in our public schools and fellow Christians put down our public schools. I know public schools have problems, but Jesus told us to “go”, not form our own little club. So many times, I find myself explaining why I teach in a public school to fellow Christians who do not understand that it is my calling just as it may be there calling to work at any other “public job”. I am totally blessed every day to teach the children who may see me as the only source of encouragement and love that they will ever get. Showing them love as Jesus would is the best possible thing I could ever think of doing for them. As you said, “love them as Jesus would”. Again, thank you for the encouragement!
Thanks Sherry! Have a great year!
Wonderful words of wisdom! May this school year and those that follow be showered with blessings. May you be reminded daily of the difference you are making in the lives of God’s most precious gift the children. Thanks for sharing your sweet heart!
How encouraging! Blessings, friend!
Perfectly stated! As a 24-year veteran of the public school system who has never been quiet about my status as a Christ-follower- while not cramming it down the throats of my 5th and 6th graders- this article expresses my view almost verbatim. Thanks so much for sharing! I’ll be praying that your school year is amazing! Soldier on, Princess Warrior and Daughter of the King!
Awesome! Thanks for your encouraging words sister!
I too am continually amazed at today’s frequent comments by Christians that God is not in the schools. I certainly feel God accompanying me to school each and every day. I feel his presence as I gently guide my students academically, socially, and emotionally. God can’t and won’t be driven out of anywhere! Why is that not common sense to any Christian?
Joining you in the classroom in a few weeks for,year number 20. I am blessed to work with many believers in a public school. I truly see it as my mission field. Thank you for sharing your heart so beautifully!
Robin
Have a wonderful year Robin! Blessings to you in your ministry.
Christ like actions and his love. Things I’ve been greatful for through my childrens education! Lead on!
Great Post!!! But I would encourage every teacher in the next two weeks to read a book by Donovan Graham entitled “Making a Difference: Christian Educators in Public Schools. This was a very insightful book. It is all about grace. Yes, we as teachers must love the students that God gives us to teach. We must also be gracious. They struggle with everyday situations that we do not even know about and probably can not even imagine. So, we must love them and then show them a little bit of grace. Hope you all have a great year and let’s love our students through grace.
Thanks for the book suggestion. It sounds great!
Beautiful words! Thank you for sharing, inspiring, and blessing your readers and your classrooms! Best wishes for a wonderful school year.
Thank you, friend, for your kind words!
Beautiful words!
Thank you for your patience and love for your students. I attended public schools; later I taught English and world history at a public high school. We need Christian teachers and students in public schools so they can be light that gives hope to those in darkness. May your tribe increase.
Thanks Michael!
Yes. Yes. Yes! Beautiful and poignant. I wrote about this very thing on my own blog back in February or March–about how Jesus-love is what our public school students need from us. God has moved me to a private school this year. I don’t understand why. Honestly, I’ve struggled with it because my ministry for so long has been to my lost students. I have to trust Him. But I just wanted you to know I understand exactly how you feel. He is using you in mighty ways.
Thanks Heather! There must be a special reason He is moving you now. It’ll be awesome when you see what it is! What is the name of your blog?
Thank you for your encouragement, Paige! My blog is PetalsofJoy.org but the post I referred to is: http://petalsofjoy.org/?p=940
Thank you for being a light in our dark world:-)
Awesome! Checking it out now!:)
I am getting ready to begin my 30th year of teaching elementary school, and my daughter is now an elementary teacher as well! I have always thought of teaching as my ministry rather than as my job. I loved this post, and shared it because the message is powerful and inspiring. You are so right – God IS everywhere we are through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us! What an encouragement! Imagine my delight as I noticed later that my daughter shared this post as well! Planting the seeds of Christ’s love in our students and in our own children……How awesome is that??????
Oh thank you both so much for sharing! You are planting seeds! And I’m praying blessings for both of your teaching ministries this year!
Reblogged this on Defy Gravity Journal and commented:
Amen.
Thank you for so eloquently stating what I have held in my heart for 19 years of teaching in public schools!
I have had to defend myself with the elders of my (former) church when they insist that there is no separation of church and stated and that I don’t lead prayers in school simply because I don’t want to. I have even had one elder tell me that ‘As God used Pilate, he’s also using you,” and that I was not a true believer.
There are ways a teacher can quietly and subtly show His works through actions, when words aren’t allowed or appropriate.
Needless to say, I’m still looking for a new church.
TD, I’m so sorry you are being chastised for teaching in a public school. Unfortunately, many Christians believe that if we withdraw ourselves from public schools that we are making a statement about our faith. I have many friends who homeschool or send their kids to private schools. I respect them for their choice and they pray for me as I teach in the public schools. They know it is my calling from God to do so. Unfortunately, there are those who will condemn others not doing “what they see fit” instead of what God is calling them to do. Hang in there and be encouraged in the Lord. He will bless you and the ministry He has given you!
I teach special needs high school students in a public school system. They are all aware of my Christian faith. One thing I do is softly play my Christian CDs on my computer between class changes. It is barely audible but I notice they tend to migrate near my desk to hear what I am playing. The one thing many people forget is that we can answer questions about ourselves when students ask, I love answering questions. That, after all, is what we are to do. Even my non Christian students listen and ask questions. I am always very careful to advise them to seek further information from their parents but I always tell them that they can watch me live my faith daily in and out of my classroom. After 23 years I have been blessed with confused, lost, and unloved students that God has touched. To Him be the Glory for giving me this opportunity.
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You, my dear, are a wonderful teacher. You “got” it as the Great Teacher taught us all by His example. We often do feel so overwhelmed by the political handcuffs placed on our industries that we forget how simple it is to be Jesus in our daily lives. You said it beautifully. Be blessed and keep passing on the love and wisdom.
Paige, I loved your blog! You are so right!! I home school my our children. Your blog convicted me to make sure I show Jesus to my children, my students, so when they are not in our care, they reflect Jesus and show that love outside our home. One act of kindness, can change a person’s life! I had a 4th grade teacher, that showed me the love of Jesus. I know in my heart she played a huge part of me coming to know and love Jesus!! I will be praying over you during this school year! Thank you, for being transparent!!! I loved your blog!!!!! THANK YOU!!!
What a wonderful message to go back to school with! Thank you!
God is the love we share with one another, they may think they have taken him out of our schools…the jokes on them. Thanks for your special words.
Thank you for your post. It is an important reminder to all followers of Christ who are in the classroom. My prayer every day as I begin my classes: when I look at my students, let me see them as Christ sees them, and when they look at me, let them see Christ in me. That heartfelt prayer has gotten me through many tough times, and helped me to be a better teacher. Blessings to you as we start another year!
I will be joining you my friend. I have been praying for all of us and this school year. I have been praying for all of our students. And all teachers everywhere. I pray everyday to be a light for our Heavenly Father. That glory will be brought to his name. That I will be a planter as he waters and breathes life into them. Love is the key. I believe Teaching is our ministry ordained by God. And because of that He give us the life tools to teach His words through our actions. Children are gifts from God and they are to be cherished. We should always feel honored that he chose us to be the teacher in His children’s lives. Wow, how humble and honor I am that God loves me this much and even more. Thank you for reminding me through your words. Love you girl.
Love you sweet friend!
I’m glad you’re there in the public schools. There should be Christians there. But please watch this sampling of a video called “Indoctrination” which deal with your plight as a Christian public school teacher. It is an eye-opener for sure.
This is only a 30 minute sampling of the complete documentary.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this matter. I agree the best way to share Christ is by love & that’s why it’s a commandment for believers. I’m so blessed & honored to be teaching with you and now in a pod with you!
Love you girl!
I know you want to be true to your beliefs, but a school is a place for all children to learn. Is it really hard to ask that you just teach facts and let the religious stuff be up to the individuals choice? Everyone has heard of your god, his god, her god, and their god(so many). There’s no child in the states who hasn’t heard of any your gods. So they’re not missing out. If they choose yours then good for them, and may they enjoy it. In your church, in your community and family, it is your duty to do your “What would jesus do” thing and that’s good. But in our schools, it is your duty to grow the minds of the young, not stunt it with beliefs.
I’m a former believer of deity that I no longer believe in, and I have many friends who do and don’t. I don’t appreciate people who tell others that a belief is fact and I don’t appreciate people who tell others that a belief is false. Your belief is yours and you have every right to it. But remember that when you’re teaching young minds, you’re shaping them and that sometimes it’s best to not shape them to your beliefs.
I must say that my favorite teachers have all been Christians with great values, and my least have always been liberals xD
Your post makes good points and I respect your opinion–especially since you have done it in a very respectful, logical and coherent way 🙂 That being said, I don’t think she is *teaching* about Christ or trying to stunt their minds with her beliefs…simply showing the love of Christ by her actions. This is how I interpret her post.
I have a tattoo of a cross and Jesus fish with two smaller crosses on my ankle. When students ask what it means, I tell them and then if they have other questions, I tell them that I would be happy to talk to them about it after school hours. As with the author, I do not hide the fact that I am a Christian from my students, parents or colleagues, however, I would not force those beliefs on anyone.
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The law doesn’t hinder students’ right to pray, discuss religion, or even share religious material in school. Of course teachers shouldn’t be talking about jesus during math class! How would you like your kid coming home to you after having his head filled with a muslim or buddhist teacher’s religious views? Christians are by far a majority in this country and I am tired of hearing people complain that other religions are given free passes while christianity is being singled out. That is ridiculous but I’ve found most people with strong religious ideologies don’t look at things logically and from a wholistic and inclusive viewpoint but tend to act very entitled. The message in this post is very good though and, aside from actually prioritizing teaching my kids, I couldnt ask for anything more from their teachers.
When a had that difficult child in my classroom … I asked God to show me what He saw when He looked at that child. Seeing the child through His eyes, helped me know what I needed to do and say. May God bless you every day.
Awesome! Thanks for great back to school motivation!
Thank you for the reminder!!!! I am an elementary music teacher and my job gets hairy sometimes. So hairy that I forget that God has placed these kids under my influence for a purpose. All 650 of them! I’m going to put the I Corinthians verse above my desk as a daily reminder. Christian teachers unite!!!!
How fun! I sing all day, though I’m Gen Ed. All the kids call me the singing teacher! 🙂 blessings this year!
This brought tears to my eyes. I have been blessed to teach middle school and high school for 26 years and have always considered my classroom as my mission field even though I can’t teach about Jesus. I can show them the love of God. Thanks for the motivation. It almost makes me want to go back today even though we have a week and a half left of summer break.
Haha! Have a great year!
Wow! In all my years of teaching, I have quietly felt the same way! Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I get frustrated and forget (oh, horrors!) to be kind. I say “quietly” because those that are passionately complaining that God has been taken out of public schools are taking up all the airspace. I believe with all my heart and faith that you are right! We have been asked to LIVE it–and that is more powerful that anything else. THANK YOU so much for writing this and opening the eyes of others to this simple truth.
Have a blessed year Katie!:)
As a public school teacher, one of the greatest compliments I ever received was when a parent told me what another parent said about me: “You’ll be in good hands. She’s a Christian.” I now teach future teachers in a Christian University. I will be sharing your writing with my students this fall.
That’s an honor Lynette. Thank you!
I sometimes want to ask people who say that “God isn’t allowed in schools”, “Is there some sort of invisible wall that God slams into when He nears a public school?”
You might be interested in my blog entry for today: http://allynsalley211.blogspot.com/2014/07/god-and-public-schools.html
I was that public school teacher as well. One of my fondest memories was the day one of my students asked me, “Miss, why are you so happy all of the time, like no matter what?” What a great opening. I answered because of my faith in God I can have joy in all situations. I may not have gotten to preach, but my life was the chance to be a witness. I also chose our autobiography novel “Gifted Hands” by Ben Carson and paid for it with my own money so I could teach a book that I believed would edify my students in multiple ways. I miss the students, but am enjoying being a stay at home momma for now. http://heavennotharvard.com
I will be beginning my 26th year teaching in a public school. Sometimes it’s easy to get too caught up in all the hype about how our education system is failing. It’s also easy to feel pushed down as a Christian. However, a couple of years ago my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 colon/liver cancer. It was a rough year…except for my students. They watched my life as I walked through that year with my husband and kids. Around February, one of my ‘problem’ students came up to me and quietly told me that he had give his heart to the Lord! Boy, did this make my heart soar. And I saw such a tremendous change in his life! He told me that it was because he saw Christ in me as we went through a most difficult year.
April, a year ago, my husband passed away. This past year has also been rough. But….because Christ was holding me up, I allowed Him to shine through me. I had a child who had 4 moms, no dads. His biological mom told me she had been worried that her son wouldn’t have a good year because she knew I was a Christian. But she thanked me for my kindness and love towards her son and that he had had a fantastic year. I told her it was because I was trying to be more like Christ and show love towards my students. Is it always easy???? NO! But I’m going to allow Christ to shine through me. My students are quite nosy about my personal life, so when asked, I tell them I am a born-again Christian. Then I let Jesus shine!
Thank you for this reminder. I’ll have to admit that I am getting tired. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to handle all the pressures of public school but….as long as I am there, I WILL remember to love. And I’ll remember what love is……