It was the final days of the academic school year and our school was participating in an ABC Countdown to Summer celebration. The 2020-2021 school year was like none other. Although I had been teaching for 16 years, I felt like a novice teacher in September 2020.
We started the school year with the sense that this school year was going to be different. A year filled with uncertainties, school closures, school wide assessments, medical testings, navigating multiple tech devices and digital platforms, relocation, change in class sizes, new teachers, virtual staff meetings, virtual parent teachers’ conferences, illnesses, hospitalizations, death, mental health issues, temperature checks, masks, and changes in policies.
Amidst all the challenges, there was one constant that kept me going and allowed me to face each day; and that was “The faithfulness of God”. Armed with that knowledge, each day, I walked in the strength of God when my own emotional and inner strength was failing. There were days when I needed to tap into His strength, His wisdom, His patience, His understanding, His love and His grace.
So during the last week of our ABC Countdown to Summer, as a class, we celebrated our academic journey! It was more than what level reader are you or what did you score on the Math Assessment. Yes, those are important!
As a class, we celebrated our love and respect for each other, our parents, our families, our teachers, our principals, and school aides. We celebrated life! Not only did we celebrate our academic growth but we also celebrated our emotional growth, physical growth, and spiritual growth.
In the joys of celebration, I wanted my class to think about the next grade as well as their future, so I asked them, “What do you want to be when you grow up!” With excitement in their voices and freedom of their young minds, they gave expression to their dreams.
“I want to be a nurse!”
“I want to be a fashion designer and a nurse!”
“I want to be a police officer!”
“I want to be a doctor!”
“I want to be a firefighter!”
“I want to be a business man!”
“I want to be a Fashion Designer and work with my friend!”
“I want to be a teacher like you!”
“I want to work with my Dad!” said one little boy. His eyes beamed with joy, love and pride as he spoke about his desire and dream to work with his Dad when he grew up. It was obvious that he loves his Dad and that he always wanted be with his Dad; being in his Dad’s presence, doing what His father does.
As I drove home from work, and reflected on the day, memories of my class discussion permeated my mind. “I want to work with my Dad!” I reflected on the sheer joy and love that this little boy exuded as he spoke. And then, my mind reflected on another boy who expressed a similar attitude. You can read about his account in the New Testament Book, Luke 2:41-51. When his parents finally found him, he said to them, “Why did you need to look for Me? Didn’t you know that I must be working for My Father? (Luke 2:49, The VOICE)
“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49, New King James Version)
Like that little boy in my class who desires to work with his father when he grows up; and like the boy that we read about in Luke 2:41-51, who knew His identity and that He must be about His Father’s business, I, too, must be about my Father’s Business.
My prayer for you today is that you will receive the love that God has for you and that you will turn to Him and trust Him with all your heart.
Blessings to you as you discover your Heavenly Father’s Business and as you partner with Him!
Heather R. Edwards
GOD’S ROYAL DAUGHTER
“She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25