I have had several folks "ask" for me to start blogging again. So, I have succumbed to the pressure of sharing my crazy life with the world again!
Today, I have felt more like a counselor than a teacher. I guess both jobs go hand-in-hand as I have found an effective teacher wears many hats: mom, dad, coach, referee, entertainer, comedian, nurse, doctor, custodian, librarian, media specialist, babysitter, and oh yeah, counselor and teacher.
Yesterday, one of my kids lost her dad to cancer. She was brave enough to be with him when he left this world. I could never have done that at 15. I could not even look at someone dead at 15, let alone my parent. Then another student, who lost his mom to cancer several years ago, felt responsible for her death because of his bad behavior. Can you imagine carrying around that load all these years? That you felt that you deserved for your mom to die because of your bad behavior? A conversation with another student last week led to church, church attendance, my role as a worship leader, and his lack of interest in God. He didn't want to tell me why he did not go to church, but I could tell that he would if he knew how I would react. It is no secret to my students where I stand with my relationship with Christ. Many kids share my desire to follow Christ, but still some shy away from conversations about God for fear of being judged or "preached at."
How many people do we come in contact with who would like to just have a conversation about God and ask questions that make no sense without getting funny looks and judgment calls from us? How many times do we miss these conversations because others see our judgment calls about tough subjects before the first word is spoken? Homosexuality...bi-racial relationships...drinking...pre-marital sex...guns...republican...democrat...piercings...tattoos...abortion...birth control...They see our judgments in our Facebook posts and pictures, in our posture during a subject, and just by the looks on our faces.
We have got to get to the point where we can have these conversations and allow people to ask questions and have calm dialogue with them without judging them according to these questions and comments. Sometimes, they just need to talk it out. Sometimes, they will come to the right solution if they are just given a chance to express their concerns on the subject. Sometimes, we just need to listen and let God do the talking.
As a counselor today, I really didn't have any great answers. But I had a caring hug and shoulder to lean on when the time comes. And the time will come. "God, if I don't have the answers, just close my mouth so they can hear You."
Today, I have felt more like a counselor than a teacher. I guess both jobs go hand-in-hand as I have found an effective teacher wears many hats: mom, dad, coach, referee, entertainer, comedian, nurse, doctor, custodian, librarian, media specialist, babysitter, and oh yeah, counselor and teacher.
Yesterday, one of my kids lost her dad to cancer. She was brave enough to be with him when he left this world. I could never have done that at 15. I could not even look at someone dead at 15, let alone my parent. Then another student, who lost his mom to cancer several years ago, felt responsible for her death because of his bad behavior. Can you imagine carrying around that load all these years? That you felt that you deserved for your mom to die because of your bad behavior? A conversation with another student last week led to church, church attendance, my role as a worship leader, and his lack of interest in God. He didn't want to tell me why he did not go to church, but I could tell that he would if he knew how I would react. It is no secret to my students where I stand with my relationship with Christ. Many kids share my desire to follow Christ, but still some shy away from conversations about God for fear of being judged or "preached at."
How many people do we come in contact with who would like to just have a conversation about God and ask questions that make no sense without getting funny looks and judgment calls from us? How many times do we miss these conversations because others see our judgment calls about tough subjects before the first word is spoken? Homosexuality...bi-racial relationships...drinking...pre-marital sex...guns...republican...democrat...piercings...tattoos...abortion...birth control...They see our judgments in our Facebook posts and pictures, in our posture during a subject, and just by the looks on our faces.
We have got to get to the point where we can have these conversations and allow people to ask questions and have calm dialogue with them without judging them according to these questions and comments. Sometimes, they just need to talk it out. Sometimes, they will come to the right solution if they are just given a chance to express their concerns on the subject. Sometimes, we just need to listen and let God do the talking.
As a counselor today, I really didn't have any great answers. But I had a caring hug and shoulder to lean on when the time comes. And the time will come. "God, if I don't have the answers, just close my mouth so they can hear You."
Oh, how good it is to see you back. . .I've missed my counseling sessions. I think more and more teachers are allowing their relationships with Christ be known--not preaching it, but certainly not sweeping it under the rug, either. And there are lots of kids out there who can be led to Him just by seeing people walking in His light. I know way too many of my own kids NEED to see what Christ can do for them and their situations. You go girl!!!
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