...and I am oh-so-ready! It's hard to believe that year four of my teaching career is coming to a close. Sometimes the days seem to drag on and on and other times it's like I blink and the day is done.
My heart has been challenged lately to see my job as a teacher as so much more than a job--rather, an investment opportunity. I attended at retreat this weekend and in both sessions, the speakers hit on using your place in life to invest in others, to serve, to make every moment count, and to be prepared to be accountable for what you do.
I have a limited amount of time with the precious lives in my care. Yes, it is important to impart some academic knowledge to them, but high school freshmen need to know so much more than the characteristics of plants and animals. They need someone to speak truth into their lives about how they are created with a purpose, are loved by the Author of Creation, and exist to bring Him glory.
As I sit here and watch this group of kids take their final exam, I can't help but ask myself if I made every moment count this year. Did they see Jesus in me? Did I love them well and strive to point them to the Cross? Did I set a good example? Because heaven knows they learn more from watching than they do from listening. Sure, there were lots of days that I was a failure at those things, but my prayer is that when they walk out of my door for the last time, in some tiny way I made a Kingdom investment in their lives. I am thankful that His mercies are new every day and that He has placed this calling on my life to spend time with some of the most fun people around! Oh, that I would be found faithful.
In that same vein, Sophie wrote a post yesterday about friendship. The comments are incredible. Check it out and throw in your two cents about how you navigated the crazy waters of friendship in high school and college!
