Hello, See You Later

Last week, some coworkers and I were transferred to another school within our district. The classes/students I was having to leave took it hard, but we assured them their year would be great and they would not be forgotten by me. The new school journey has not been easy nor smooth. I pray for strength and wisdom every morning, so I can guide the students with grace, love, and structure. These kids are hurting, angry, and longing for attention, even if negative. Do I always get it right? No, but I sure want to. My willingness is there. My desire is there. But, how do I get it right every time? Is it possible?

I'm always finding more areas in myself that need correcting, during the rough parts of life. What should I say? Pray about it. What should I do? Pray about it. How do I react to this? Pray about it. I have found several helpful articles, books, and videos on changing my outlook and how to motivate difficult behaviors. They're all very useful, but I must remember 1st Corinthians 13:4-8a.

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."

Patient. Kind. Not rude. Not irritable. Bears all things. Endures all things. These are the six qualities that I'm still working on to achieve. Do I show or give these exact qualities to the students? Do I to my family? Do I to my friends? Do I to the strangers I see in the store? Do I to the other drivers not driving the way I'd like them to? Ouch!

In the moments I find myself biting my tongue and frustrated, I'll do my best to BTP. Take a deep Breath, Think on these verses, and Pray.