Prayer Journal #17

 It's that time of year again---too early, in my opinion, but no one asked me!

Back to School time. 

I told Gary yesterday that we always see prayers for the kids returning to school and asking God to guide them through the year, hoping that their years are good ones, that the bullying is not prevalent, that safety is maintained, which is a big issue now.  But nowhere I have seen a prayer for teachers, especially those who are entering new environments.

I also saw a post by Beth Dean, my former student teacher (when Hilary was a baby) who is beginning her 38th year today but as an assistant principal.  She was hoping she could sleep last night---nervous for the 'first day.'  I had to smile because I was always the same way.  No matter when it was, either in August or January or even once in October, rarely was there a good night's sleep the night before.  Just nervousness for all of the new faces and new curriculum or even new teaching techniques.

But what I was really sharing with Gary yesterday was the prayer needed for those teachers who were in new situations.  Courtney accepted a job at Winamac so she had a new classroom, new students, new colleagues, new procedures.  Rae Jeanne had spent a portion of last year as a CASA, then as a media center aide, after retirement from teaching at North Judson Elementary.  She started a new year as a 3rd grade teacher at Winamac yesterday.  Brian Eaton had been the Athletic Director at Clinton Prairie for several years, then left in June to be an assistant principal at an elementary school in the Tippecanoe School Corporation.  New environment, new building, new faces, and new kids to get used to. Quite a difference from dealing with high school sports teams and coaches and now talking to elementary children on a daily basis.  Chris Butler---leaving his position as a math teacher and soccer coach at Frankfort High School to teach math at Rossville.  Landon's music teacher who was wonderful who left to be an assistant principal at an elementary close to Columbus IN.  Katie and Heidi who aren't returning to the classrooms because they are new moms.   Besides adjusting to new students, which all teachers do, and new materials (which happens sporadically), these teachers are experiencing new classrooms, learning new names of not only students but colleagues, adjusting to new schedules and procedures, and just learning a new way to spend their days.  I understand, especially after leaving WC and moving to Ivy Tech.  

Today I pray for all of them.

Dear Lord, we know that August seems to come more quickly each year and that the school year brings so many changes and opportunities.  While we pray that the students adjust well to the new grade levels and new classes, new classrooms, and new teachers, we also pray for the teachers who have new changes in their professional careers. We pray that the teachers who walk into new buildings and meet new administrators and staff members adjust well to their new positions.  We pray that the teachers and administrators learn the names and procedures quickly so that they feel comfortable in their new roles.  We pray that they are happy with the decisions that were made to put them into the new surroundings and new roles or titles that they have for this new school year, that they do not regret leaving the comfort of the rooms or positions from last year.  We pray that they remember the primary purpose they chose the career of education, to encourage young people to become the best citizens they can be, so that they can lead productive lives, and that they gain the knowledge needed to become successful adults.  Please watch over all of the students, teachers, and staff in our schools, especially those who are adjusting to new schools, students, and routines.  In Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer Journal #16

 "Father, help me shake off criticism and rejection.  When I must deal with it, help me to do so wisely and in accordance with Your will.   In Jesus' name.  Amen."

 

My friend Rhonda posted in our devotional page this morning about her mother's rejection of her once again.  This is something that happened to me frequently during my childhood and continued through my adult life.  I understand.  I went through the feelings of  "Why don't you just love me?" when my mother sprinkled her seeds of discontent on my happiness.  When she found the negative in every positive thing I did.  When she took the joy out of so many occasions because of her comments.  When she refused to attend various events, even trying to stay home instead of attending Megan and Matt's wedding a Grandmother of the Bride.  I stood at her casket and asked her the same thing "Why didn't you love me?"

I have to admit that I didn't "deal with it wisely and in accordance with Your will" all the time.  Actually I did not stay with God's will very often at all. All of her attacks hurt me.  When it trickles down and hurts my daughters, that is just terribly offensive.  How do I explain to Megan and Hilary that Grandma can't attend Grandparents' Day at their elementary school because she has a hair appointment that day?  A hair appointment.   Every Friday.  That she cannot miss.   For anything.   I admit that this was tough for me and I harbored ill will for many years.  But I need to move on and I have.  Yes, I have, even though I just typed all this here.

Criticism and rejection.  Two big things that can hurt badly.  But with God's help, we can get through the pain.  He will provide healing for us and vindicate the wrongs we have suffered.

Prayer Journal #15

 The prayer from yesterday's devotions hit home for me.

"Father, You are good beyond anything I can describe, and I am grateful for your blessings. I am excited to see what You will do in my future.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

God's goodness abounds everywhere.  Yesterday I walked outside to the deck to sit for a while after Jeopardy was over.   That sounds like an old person, doesn't it?  Actually it was the first time we had watched Jeopardy in a few weeks because of the fair, then the trip to Branson, then the kids being here off and on this week.  Anyway, Gary was outside doing something with the truck and when I stepped off the steps, the first thing I saw was a beautiful rainbow.  It wasn't raining, but the sky was dark and a rainbow seemed to be hanging over Blaine and Hilary's house to the slight southeast.

I took a picture of the rainbow and posted it on FB with a comment that it wasn't raining at our house, but it was obviously raining somewhere.  I sat on the deck for probably five minutes before I felt the drops on my legs, then spotting the screen of my cell phone.  Soon the rain was steadily coming down and dripping off the roof in front of the door.  It was blowing just enough to dampen the chairs where I was sitting and force me into the house again.  Gary, in the meantime, was fiddling around with the truck by the party barn.  I watched him finally head to the house through the raindrops, one of the yellow barn cats leading the way.

Rain.  A rainbow.  Green grass.  Beautiful flowers.  Weeds.  Well, not the weeds, but the rest of it is part of God's beauty.  

I was thinking the other day about the passage of time.  I think of that often, who am I kidding?  But in particular, on Thursday, Megan started her 19th year of teaching.  I remember her first year being the same year that Hilary and Blaine were married.  How fast have those years gone?  Then I thought about Cooper starting 3rd grade, and on Friday Landon began 7th and Tessa 4th with Owen in K again and Lynnlee starting pre-K on the 15th.  The babies are all in school.  But I also thought about this...I taught at West Central for 33 years, then at Ivy Tech for 10.  I retired from WC in 2006---this is the 17th "first day" I have missed there.  I retired from Ivy Tech in 2016, and even though I worked during non-instructional week and chaired the fall Adjunct Orientation, I didn't teach any classes that semester.  This is my 7th 'first week of classes' to miss.  How time flies! The juniors I would be teaching this year at WC hadn't even been born when I left there.   The seniors in my dual credit class at Rochester in 2015-2016 are probably graduated from college, married, and have children of their own now.

How does this relate to the prayer from yesterday?  God is good.  He has been very good to me.   My career.  My husband.  Our daughters.   Our grandchildren.  Our beautiful home.  Friends and family.  How blessed are we?  While we are never sure what the future holds for us, I am looking forward to more days with Gary, traveling this fall, reading a few good books, spending time in the sewing room to make some beautiful quilts, and just enjoying our lives.  God is good.  His goodness endures forever!  Amen!