Faith in School. I Discovered, It's a Must For Me.

I was struggling the first couple of months as a first year teacher. I was questioning everything and feeling like I was facing problems that I wanted to fix, but couldn't possibly "fix" it.

I am still running around like crazy now, please don't mistake me. I am flat out tired. But, about a month ago I made a suggestion to another teacher and I tell you it may have been the best idea I have had all year. We began a prayer group at school. We meet once a week to pray for our kids, our school, the community, and other things that are going on in our lives. It such a good reminder to me of why I come to school every day. I love kids, I have a huge hope for their future and I want them to all feel loved by me and to know they are loved by God.

I work in the public school system so I can't just tell my students flat out that God loves them. But I can pray for them everyday and I do. I worry a lot about my kids and I figured out that I can't carry all of their weights for them. I am trying very hard (sometimes not so successfully) to pray for them and either act on the prayer if I feel like God is telling me to or to just give the concern to God. Like I said, I am struggling with it, but I sure am trying.

My Tuesday morning are so wonderful. We have cried and laughed and prayed a whole heck of a lot. I'd love to pray for you and your kids too, just let me know.

Last week I shared a devotional from the wonderful site, www.teacherdevotions.com about Joy. I posted it below. Take a look at the website, it is good stuff for teachers.

'TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOYOUS

Hebrews 3:6 “But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. [7] So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, . .' "

December is a busy time for teachers. We often find ourselves in the middle of preparing for Christmas programs, ending units of study, decorating, and doing our personal shopping. The joy of Christmas is often lost in the hustle and bustle of fulfilling each day's goals. The holiday season can be tough on us both physically and emotionally .

The older I become the more I know there are very few “perfect" days. Each season brings it joys and its sorrows. The key to a joyous season is to find the gift in every event and enjoy the moments. Learn to "Go with the flow;" or "Roll with the punches." Choose your battles. Forgive easily and often. Let go of expectations and choose to be grateful for each gift no matter how small. Choose to be happy! Choose peace with your fellowman.

God has given us promises in The Bible that offers courage and hope. We are told how God is intimately involved with the details of our lives. He even knows when the common sparrow falls. But we have the choice to believe God’s report or not to believe it. Without courage and hope we wander aimlessly like the Children of Israel in the desert never really going forward and never finding our promised rest.

This holiday season may seem like a season of stress, bad memories, or over commitment. The Spirit of God stands beside you to offer you courage and hope to find joy in all your daily activities. Count your blessings; name them one by one. Send thank you notes to parents, fellow teachers, school leaders or staff who have been supportive this semester. Do something unexpected for someone you love. Take some time to relax and praise God for all his goodness and blessings during this past year. These things will help to melt away the heaviness of duty. It doesn't take a lot of time, but it can lift your spirit to new heights. The Children of Israel rejected the good report and chose unbelief, fear, doubt, and anger toward God and the leader He gave them. They believed the false report. They lost their courage and hope, and they never saw the promised land. They never entered into the joy that God had set before them.

Choose a Merry Christmas season this year! Smile a lot. Give thanks a lot. If funds are tight, give gifts of appreciation rather than expense. Sometimes a personal card is valuable enough to save for years. A handmade gift can speak volumes of your love and care for someone. Seek to find the sunshine in every rain cloud. Remember, that in God’s timing He can and will make all things beautiful if you will cling to courage and hope in Christ--because God said it--that makes it true!

DEAR GOD,I CHOOSE JOY THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON. HELP MY ATTITUDE TO BE A REFLECTION OF YOUR LOVE. ALLOW ME TO VALUE AND REFLECT YOUR GIFT OF LOVE TO ME. I WANT TO GIVE YOUR LOVE OUT TO OTHERS THROUGH GRATEFUL AND ENCOURAGING WORDS. TEACH ME TO HAVE FUN AS I FULFILL MY DAILY REQUIREMENTS. I WANT TO BRING JOY TO THE LIVES OF MY STUDENTS AND COWORKERS.

Wyrick, Elderine (2002-2011). "Tis the Season To Be Joyous" in Polishing the Apple, www.teacherdevotion.com.

See? Good stuff right? I love my job. I love being with my kids and for the times when my patience/energy/creativity seems to be slackin' I am making the choice to pray.

Talk to ya soon,

Dee Dee