“Ok, Lord! I think I am ready for this! School has been in session for a couple of weeks, and I have already recognized my new challenges.” Each new school year I get new ones in addition to the old ones I am already experiencing. I have been teaching so long one would think I would have it mastered. It would be nice to have an easy year, but what is the fun in that?
Albert Einstein said, “Once you stop learning, you start dying.” I obviously am going to live a long time. I face so many challenges every day. Some are simple, and others are more difficult. I learned how to do something new on my computer today. I was so proud of myself. Each day that I teach I learn a new way to approach a concept or some new tidbit of information. My students teach me a wealth of information. When I study the Scriptures, the Lord shows me something new from His Word. In addition, I am still learning how to be a better wife, mother, and grandmother along with many other interpersonal relationships. The list is endless.
The biggest challenges I face are the ones I can’t learn from a book or a computer. Self-discipline is one of the most difficult character issues I face on a day-to-day basis. I need to discipline the use of my time. Do you know how much time can be wasted in a day? I try, I really do. I have list upon list.
I also need to discipline my tongue. People are often hurt unnecessarily by the tongue. Sometimes we say too much, and other times we don’t say enough. Many times, it is not so much what we say but how we say it. We won’t even start on my appetite for food, that is another battle in itself.
I would say the biggest challenge I face is putting into practice the things God has taught me. All of the previous difficulties I just mentioned would be taken care of if I would let God have control of my life. I know how to watch the words I say, but I don’t listen. Many times the Holy Spirit will tell me to wait or to stop. He will say “Think this one through,” or “Don’t get in on this conversation.” But, do I listen?
Last year, one of my greatest challenges was getting through the flood with the right attitude. Outwardly I was saying all of the right things, but in my heart I was doubtful and fretful, at least in the beginning. The Lord touched me and by the time we started working on repairs in the school building, He had taken me to the shed and straightened me out. God put His arms around me and reassured me of His love and provisions. My faith grew through the whole ordeal.
The Lord has taught me many things over the years, but one particular lesson has been a major foundation for our ministry to these children. I have been teaching for over thirty years, and I have yet to have two students with the same needs. Every child is different and is a special gift from God. When I first began to teach, I felt I knew exactly what to do. Within a few weeks, I realized I didn’t know hardly anything. I had book knowledge, but I needed something more than that. I needed God’s wisdom and blessing in order to be a good teacher. I needed His grace to love every child as He would love them.
In my first year at Pathway, I had a very difficult student. She was in the fifth grade. This student was not a behavior issue as such, but she was difficult to work with. She really believed she knew more than anyone else. She was arrogant and self-absorbed. This child had a temper when she did not get her way. That included anyone telling her she was wrong. I got word one day she was going to home school. If I could have gotten away with it, I would have danced on the desks. I was so relieved. I wouldn’t have to deal with her any more. Of course, on the outside I said, “I am so sorry!” I was busted, though. The Holy Spirit knew exactly what I was thinking.
In my heart, the Lord said, “Sherry, you haven’t learned to love people like I want you to. I think you need to be able to deal with this type of individual and love her for Me.” The next year my heavenly Father sent an eleventh grader just like her, only worse. When I realized this, I knew exactly what had happened. I prayed and asked the Lord to help me love this student. She was difficult to say the least. This young girl ended up getting suspended because of her temper, but she did finish the school year and went on to graduate. I prayed a lot, and we both grew during our time together. I have learned to love a student no matter what. Even when I have to tell a child they can’t return, it hurts my heart. I feel I have failed in some way. I am thankful I have grown in this area.
I believe when I didn’t want the student to stay, I was telling God, “I don’t want to do this your way.” I want students that are easy to handle. I don’t want any difficulties. In Luke 14, the Lord wanted many people to come to Him, but they made excuses. Don’t we do that? Lord, I will serve You, but not unless I can do it my way. How many times do we say “no” to God’s will because it doesn’t fit into our picture of how things should be? When have we refused to help someone because it was inconvenient?
In what ways do we reject God’s will because we can’t do it our way or it is not what we had in mind? What lesson do we need to learn in order to move forward? God is going to bring the exact situation or person in our lives until we learn to deal with each difficulty. It is paramount to our growth as a Christian. How can we grow if we are not willing to do His will?
What challenges do you face in your Christian walk? Take the challenge and move straight ahead. Ask God to help you through each struggle and help you to face each difficulty. May we each grow with the challenges we face each day—whatever they may be.
May our response always be, “Yes, Lord, I am ready to follow You!”
Mrs. Worthington has five children and eleven grandchildren. She serves as Principal of Pathway Christian Academy in Goldsboro.