New Beginnings

First day of school. Newly sharpened pencils. Fresh notebooks. Expectant faces.

They wonder, despite years of rumors, what I will really be like. I wonder, because I'm getting older and my memory isn't what it used to be, how long it will take me to learn their names-- and whether the wifi will support the introductory activities -- it didn't, if you must know. But most of all, perhaps, we all wondered what Jesus would look like in Room 214 this year.

Oh, I doubt any of them looked at Mom after she took the obligatory 1st Day of School picture and said, "I wonder where I'll see Jesus today..."

But I guarantee every one had wordless questions pounding through their hearts:
Will she be fair?
Will she be kind?
Will she like me?
Will she get mad if I mess up or will she be patient with me when I don't understand?
Will she embarrass me in front of my friends or protect my spirit?
Will she pray for me?
Will she stand up for what's right?
Will she speak words of truth?

No matter what lessons I teach, the way they see Jesus in me matters more.

So, Lord, show me how to reflect you every day, not just in the opening prayer of each class, but in the lessons, the conferences, the asides between classes in the hallway, the comments on papers, the cheers at football games. Be ever present in this classroom and in the footsteps I take, those steps that will make a path for so many to follow. Let me never misguide them, but always direct their steps to you. Let it be. O, let it be so.