Inspiration for Teachers #2 ... Praise with our Prayers

In the midst of uncertain times, prayer and praise really do make a difference. Just knowing that God hears and cares about what is going on in our lives is reassuring. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I know the creator, savior, and sustainer of everything known, and even unknown. The Bible teaches that He is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnipresent (everywhere). I can thank Him for who He is no matter my circumstance. I can even thank Him for the work He is doing in my life as I walk through a trial. 

For those of us in education, who knows what lies ahead? I sure don't, but I believe God does. COVID19 did not take Him by surprise! None of us are immune from hard times or difficult days, yet God will be an ever-present help and hope in times of trouble. David, who faced his own share of uncertainty and one giant-of-a-problem, reminded us of this in his Psalms. Then later a teacher named Paul wrote the following while wrongly imprisoned …

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 4: 6-7 NLT

I heard this song performed live last week, and it seemed to be just what I needed to hear during this season of uncertainty. Be encouraged!

Inspiration for Teachers #1 ... Teachers, Be Encouraged!

I wanted to share a brief word to support and encourage teachers, especially now as they navigate some very unique and demanding COVID restrictions/expectations while either teaching virtually, in a blended or hybrid model, or fully in person.  

My wife is a teacher, my daughter is a teacher, and I’m blessed to work in a school full of amazing teachers.  I love teachers!  Teachers are the backbone of all schools.  Someone once said “Tell me a profession more important than teaching, and I will ask, what if those in that profession had been poorly taught!”

If you are a teacher, I want to say THANK YOU!  Thank you for answering the call to teach, because I truly believe teaching is a calling … especially this year.  Thank you for investing your time, your talents, your creativity, and even your own money into creating an environment where kids can be themselves, take risks, trust, and learn.  Thank you for the early mornings and late nights of planning engaging lessons, the extra duty and cleaning, for grading and offering feedback, for zooming and looming, for coaching a team, for sponsoring a club, and for managing not only your mask and distance, but those of your students … all to not just make a paycheck, but to make a difference.  

An amazing second-career teacher named Paul wrote the following in my favorite book.  Don’t get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don’t give up.  (Gal. 6:9)

May God encourage, protect, and bless all of our teachers!