The greatest lessons I learned this week were taught to me by God loving children!
Let me back up a little bit and give you some background and I hope you will stay with me. I am a Christian who LOVES my Lord and Savior! I was blessed with parents who know God and brought me from birth in the Catholic church. I attended Catholic school from kindergarten through twelfth grade with the last four years being at an all girl Catholic high school, and I am beyond thankful.
That being said, my faith is still growing and I attend a Christian church now and love where my faith has taken me. I am, however, a public school teacher and at times it saddens me that I can't share the fact that Jesus loves them with my students.
Today, our voices are stifled in public schools, but GOD is not. Here are 5 ways I have learned to bring GOD back into the classroom.
We, as believers in Christ, need to lead as Christ lead us. He came to this earth to give us the perfect example of how we can live our lives. So now its our turn to teach, model and love these children that have been entrusted to us. Yes, that also includes the not so easy to love child...You know the one-the child that pushes every limit and gets under your skin. He/she needs our LOVE the MOST!
So friends, this year my paraprofessional and I have prayer specifically for our students. We have been intentional with our prayer and we schedule who we are praying for. There are days and even weeks that we are more consistent than others, but the good news is God hears our prayers! So yes, we may not be able to pray with our students, but we can certainly pray FOR our students!
And yes friend, this sweet little pre-kinder friend taught me a HUGE lesson on Friday too! I was so touched by his honest answer when asked why he loved his mom. I am sure his mama was having a proud moment too! Children don't know to sensor their conversations to leave God out of public school and their is such power in this innocence! The Holy Spirit moved me to share his story, our story, our Savior's story with all who are willing to listen.
I believe the most powerful lessons we can teach our kids in the classroom are classified as "character education" but know this: we are planting a seed in these sweet, little children that will grow when tended to. So PRAISE GOD- against such things there is no law!
So friends, this year my paraprofessional and I have prayer specifically for our students. We have been intentional with our prayer and we schedule who we are praying for. There are days and even weeks that we are more consistent than others, but the good news is God hears our prayers! So yes, we may not be able to pray with our students, but we can certainly pray FOR our students!
My youngest son sent me a selfie on Friday to ask if his shirt matched his shorts. This was the shirt he received at church two years ago when he was baptized. It even says NEW CREATION on the back. My first thought was concern that he would be called out on it in middle school. (Middle school kids can be so mean!) But isn't that what we are called to do? Imagine if the Holy Spirit used Zach or even the message on his shirt to speak to someone. That is exactly what we are called to do and I am so thankful that my son has the conviction to do it! #proudmama
I believe the most powerful lessons we can teach our kids in the classroom are classified as "character education" but know this: we are planting a seed in these sweet, little children that will grow when tended to. So PRAISE GOD- against such things there is no law!
Praise the Lord for this post! :) I do a lot of those things myself! I'm blessed to work in a public school with lots of faith filled teachers and students and I think my parents have appreciated my approach. It makes me sad that there are other teachers who feel silenced. I'm glad that I've not felt that in particular in my experience...but my hope is that for those that do, this post will be a huge encouragement!!! :) XOXO Well said, here friend! :) XOXO
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Tammy! I love that you and your para pray for your kidlettes. Inspiring post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Tammy! I love that you and your para pray for your kidlettes. Inspiring post!
ReplyDeleteYes and amen. There is no law against displaying and teaching the fruit of the spirit in the every day classroom.
ReplyDelete