Well, my second day in the classroom is over. My lesson on teeth and tooth decay went well. I had know idea what their background knowledge was and even what the content standards were for the subject. I did a little chant with the differed types of teeth and their purpose and tried to model many different active brain strategies for my cooperating teacher. Knowing that I can teach without any preparation or planning has definitely built up my confidence as a teacher. God has called me to teaching and has blessed me with the abilities that I need to succeed. "Do not neglect the gift that is in you..." 1 Timothy 4:14
I have realized that my problem comes with the fact that I just want to fix everything. I want to fix my students who are being abused by their family members, I want to fix their living conditions, I want to fix their quality of education, the list is endless and there is not enough time to fix it while I am here. However I realized today that God doesn't want me to fix everything. The Belizeans have lived successfully praising Jesus for a long time, they don't see the list of things to be fixed the same way that I do. I am not here to fix everything. My mission is to love everyone and share Christ's light. If they learn something from my lessons then I shall consider that a bonus. I am very humbled by knowing that my time in the classroom might not make a huge impact on a struggling boy's ability to read, but I can share my love for reading and give him hope. I am simply planting seeds in the short time that I am here. I will probably never know if they are watered and flourish or if they dry out and die, those are out of my control. I just need to share faith, hope, and love.
Hi Marjorie,
ReplyDeleteI love how you make comparisons and illustrate your ideas with super distinctive words! I love how honest you are and how realistic your intentions are with these new friends. LOVE THE SEEDS analogy!!!!! You are a natural! You see the big picture. You aren't getting caught in the "make a difference" battle. Life is too short to waste any energy on bringing yourself down because you're not sure you can "change" things. That took me a long time to learn. Just go with it! You never know the future and how things pan out. It could take 10 years to see an outcome from a decision based on your leadership, prayers, love. You have the perfect attitude! You are a quick learn! Due to the technology of the time in which you live; you have the means to transport your gifts to another region of the planet. Like a missionary! 100 years ago, your great grandparents perhaps didn't have the resources to hop on a plane and head due south. Perhaps our ancestors traveled west looking for gold or sailed on a ship from England or lived in the same house their entire life...but to go to Central America and share God's love? Consider it a diversity gift; 21st century bonus! Keep paying it forward and making memories! Hugs!