Do you ever have days when you sigh and say to yourself, "Ah yes...this is exactly why I have this job."? If you don't, allow me to be the first to suggest a career consultation. Regardless of your answer, I had one of those days today.
Just last night at home group, I asked the two guys in my small group to pray that I would invest into my students on an individual level these last five days before Thanksgiving break. I believe God gave me that today. Many times today, I felt overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the students I have in my class. Sure, there are problems and needs for growth/adjustment...but I felt I was able to adore specific student's personalities. I found myself laughing out loud at small, idiosyncratic things about them. And I loved it.
The Camp Geneva counselor in me even surfaced while we were outside at snack: students were playing their favorite tag game of cops and robbers (two cops try to tag all the robbers and put them into jail before other robbers come and release them from jail). I ran around and played with them yesterday, but today I watched for a bit. With sudden inspiration, I walked over to the robbers and picked one of them up. I carried her over to the jail telling her how proud I was that she felt rependant and guilty for her crimes to society. She loved it, and soon all the robbers wanted to repay their debt to society.
This afternoon, students were reading their fiction narrative drafts for their small writing group. My eyes swelled with tears as I listened to a few students share their fantastical narratives of characters like Kahlia, Max, and Skull-Monger. At first I wondered why I felt emotional about this, and I suddenly remembered my prayer request last night! In an instant, it all made sense. I felt so joyful to hear my students sharing their original work--stories they were excited to share and read with great expression! Oh, would I love to feel that joy next week when I grade their final drafts...
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