Pretty sure I haven't blogged in a year, but I'm on Spring Break and this is important.
It was a pretty ordinary Wednesday, but it was full of blessings that might usually go unnoticed if I let them. I want to remember the blessings of the day, as it was such an ordinary, routine Wednesday but extraordinary at the same time. It's time to recognize that some of the things I take for granted in my daily routine, are actually huuuuuge.
Every Wednesday starts with a staff meeting...they usually are not my favorite because they involve a lot of public speaking and I will never be good at that. At this meeting we were asked to speak about times where we listened to God. My VP shared part of the incredible journey one of my students has had this year and asked me to tell it...to sum it up, this special needs student came to us over the summer and was assessed by the VP, our resource/special ed teacher, and myself. He had a placement in the public school system for a special needs class because of being emotionally disturbed. After assessing him, all three of us said absolutely not, that we would not be able to help his extreme behaviors (we are only a small Christian school, with few resources). (**sidenote: I usually have one special needs student a year, and was burdened with the thought of having two in my class, at the same name, with severe behaviors...in case you were wondering if I am lazy/crazy). However, all 3 of us were luckily overruled and were told this child would be in my class in the fall. I was beyond discouraged, not to mention felt insignificant because my opinion apparently was not valid... I had read his file and seen his extremeness first hand...I knew he would grow and improve, but going into an exhausting/draining situation is still hard to be excited about. Those tend to be the most rewarding though, and I fully recognized that, as well as the fact that God would do the work and not me. ANYWAYS, this child has made improvement this year...great improvements actually, but still struggles. I'd been teaching the trials, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus and had been in constant prayer for my class to understand the significance of the complicated things I was teaching them, as most of my class come from non-believing families. During chapel on Friday, we were instructed to pray in groups with our class. This boy is usually not very verbal, but told the resource teacher (his group leader) that he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart...and then prayed the simplest prayer and did just that...no prompting or discussion or anything. She leaned over to me and asked if this was his first time making that decision, and I said yes. I asked him later what inspired him to do that and he said that after all the Bible stories we had had recently, and a science video I showed them on how caterpillars change into butterflies, that "he was ready to grow like the butterfly." I'M SORRY...WHAT?! Sobfest. A 6 year old making that analogy...unreal. We've all been in shock at how God used this situation and clearly did great things in this boy's heart, despite all of us saying he shouldn't have been here. Now we understand.
As the day continued, I had a supervisor from the Long Beach Unified special ed department come in to observe/document both of my special needs kids. She told me afterwards that my classroom was incredible and that everything I do is amazing. She said if she were still training teachers, she would bring them to my classroom. I still can't believe that...I feel like such an amateur most days and the girl that never wanted to be a teacher. She even told my Principal who came in to congratulate me as well. It's not even real to me, but God knew I needed that encouragement, as this year has been incredibly challenging.
After lunch, 2 boys came to me at separate times, ready to make decisions to follow Jesus. Without a doubt, I believe that the special needs student accepting Jesus had a huge part in these 2 boys' decisions as well...just another part of the story! These 2 boys are usually "too cool" and giant knuckleheads, so for them to come to me with such a serious decision was pretty significant. I am honored that this is part of my job/the reason why I do it.
After school I had a rough meeting with a parent, but looking back consider this a part of the blessings of the day. This mom has done nothing except try to make my life hell this year, and this meeting I had decided that I no longer cared about bending over backwards for her. I showed so much courage and firmness, and was so honest with her about the hardships that lie ahead of her (she's in denial about a lot of things). It ended civilly, but I never would have been able to do that a year ago, maybe even a few months ago. Sometimes, it's okay to be "the bad guy" and to lay down the law when you are being treated poorly.
After school and before church, I got to meet up with my "support group" of girls...other friends who are leaders on junior high/high school staff. I love them and realize how important they are/how sane they keep me. It's basically my only social time of the week.
We got to church and one of my favorite little junior highers runs up to me with a pan of brownies and a card with the sweetest message. It's amazing how God can grow a relationship, even with a student that is not even in my small group. Then, my own small group was awesome and we talked about the reality of what Jesus did for us at Easter/their doubts/real questions. It usually doesn't go that smoothly/effectively at all haha. Afterwards, I cried from laughing so hard with a few friends and junior highers because of the ugly photos we were taking. Tooooo good.
As I went home and got in bed, I reflected on my day and never noticed all the significant things God had done in just one day. It could've been very easy for me to focus on the rough parent meeting, or how tired I was, or how much homework I still had to do...but that is not what this Wednesday was about.
amandla
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