Velcro shoelaces

Do you ever wonder if the kids wake up some days thinking, “How can I push my teacher’s buttons today?”  Such was the feeling when I had a shoe tying straggler down the sidewalk.  We’ll call him Harold for all purposes.  Now Harold was tying his shoes for five million hours and when the last of my students were entering the classroom, I forcefully stated to Harold that shoe tying time was over.  Well, he started walking towards the classroom and when his shoes got into plain view, I burst out in dismay, “You don’t even have shoelaces!”  Such is life and such is the fact that Velcro shoes need ample shoe tying time.

Oceans

I love teaching kids.  I love finding creative approaches to lessons, seeing that light bulb moment on a student’s face, and of course those silly moments when a kid says or does something that just makes you break down laughing.  I have had a couple of those moments this year, but I’ve also had a lot of challenges.  It’s been 6 weeks, and feeling completely drained I’ve been struggling with the thought “I can’t do this.”  Well, I’m right. I can’t do this, but God reminded me during worship this morning that it’s not just me doing this.  We’re doing this.

“Oceans” by Hillsong United

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

So I’m calling upon His name this week.

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.  About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.  When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Matthew 14:24-33 NLT

 

Like Peter, I’ve started to sink, but I’m reaching out and I know God is going to not only catch me, but pull me up on top of the waters.

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

The waters are my classroom and the waves are five million and one things but when you your feet fail, call upon His name and He’ll be there.  Well, He’s always there, you’ll just remember to take His hand.

Vampires at school?

Quote of the Day:
(In response to students playing and screaming)

I think they're scared of vampires.

Tuxedos and 6-year-olds

Conversation of the Day:
(while discussing "change", one of the vocabulary words of the week)

Me: If you didn't have to wear your uniform and could change into any clothes, what would you wear?

Student: A tuxedo, I have one.

Never ever

What if someone told you will never ever have another student falling behind?   You will never ever have another angry parent come to your classroom door. You will never ever have another student with a challenging behavior.  What do you feel?  Relief?  Confidence?  Peace?

I was driving to work today when Kristian Stanfill’s “One Thing Remains” came on the radio.

He sings:

“On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains”

When I started relating the lyrics to thoughts about teaching and what never ever would mean in that context, the line “I never, ever, have to be afraid” boggled my mind.  Never ever.   I never ever have to be afraid.  It’s not likely I will never have a student falling behind, or an angry parent, or a challenging behavior, but there is a “never ever” I can hold on to.  Because of God’s great love for me, for His people, I never ever have to be afraid.

 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Roman 8:14-17 NIV

Now have I heard this truth before?  Of course.  I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home surrounded by the Word of God and His promises, but maybe it’s like growing up in a time where everyone knows the world is round.  You get it.  The world’s round. But maybe when you get on a plane, travel halfway around it and don’t fall off, you get it.  I think I got it today, and I’m grateful. Never doubt when God can take an ordinary moment and make it into something extraordinary.  And don’t doubt God’s love.  You never ever have to be afraid. 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39 NIV

Paper Eating Amendment

I would like to add an amendment to my life lessons list from yesterday as a result of a discovery I made this afternoon.





We don't eat paper.

Beginning Lessons

I have officially had my first full week with my new little ones and besides reading, writing, and arithmetic there are some other things we will be working on in first grade. 

Some of those include:

-Where the front of a notebook is
-Fingers stay out of our noses
-Books don’t go on our heads
-You still have to go to PE even if you hide under your desk

What life lessons are you teaching the first days of school?