Patience

If you've been following this blog for long enough you will know by now that I am a teacher. I also teach a class of students who are a bit out of the ordinary.

Their backgrounds are what say it all. Some come from parents who give them whatever they want, others from abuse, and others still from broken families.

There are times where I'm tested to my limits with them. My voice grows hoarse and I can feel my nostrils flair. Things seemed to be especially tough this week (some may argue it's because of the full moon, I'm still skeptical of such ideas though). All forms of listening went out the window and my worst behaved students just about drove me up the wall.

A few blogs ago I wrote about how, when we find ourselves in difficult situations, we need to ask ourselves, "How is this the best thing God is doing for me?" or "How is He shaping me?" I found myself asking that multiple times. So I would ask him what he's trying to show me. His reply?

Be patient, I'm not done yet.

The other day Principal took the whole staff outside after our morning meeting before school. He had us look out into the ocean, up into the sky, and around the sandy playground. He told us that we wouldn't be here if God didn't have a reason for us to be here. He (God) knows what he's doing. I looked up and saw Principal's crows feet framed eyes look right at me as he said those words.

God provided me with this opprotunity. A job that I don't deserve but he just about handed me on a silver platter. With kids tough enough for me to handle. Now, instead of focusing on the negatives, I need to bless my students. Just like God has showered His blessings on me.

"Let my teaching fall like rain
and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
like abundant rain on tender plants."
-Deuteronomy 32:2

Only through God can a teacher achieve such a desire.