I stepped back in time today.
No, I didn’t visit a museum, or some historical colonial settlement.
I stepped into my junior high classroom.
One day we were there, teaching and inspiring and leading, doing our best to deepen the faithful lives of these young children, getting ready to cheer on 3rd and 4th graders for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Basketball game.... And then suddenly we weren’t.
With Memorial Day right around the corner, today was “pack up” day, but there were no students to gather their things. Lockers still had notebooks and binders, desks still had papers to complete. Library books, now long overdue, were stuffed in cubbies with too small P.E. shoes.
And on my bulletin board was my March calendar, waiting… waiting for me to see this:
“It is in the company of Jesus that you work for the glory of God.”
In the days and weeks that followed our abrupt departure, the demands of teaching and learning dramatically changed, even intensified. How do you teach without students? How do students learn without teachers? It was a lonely, confusing time. How could I possibly make the faith formation of students relevant without being present, without relationship?
What followed was extraordinary though. Teachers were intent on making learning meaningful by determining what was essential and purposeful. Students stepped up and trusted the process. Parents found ways to support and encourage their children.
I found myself “surrounded” by people who were determined to find a way, and the learning didn’t stop: we just refocused on our priorities and adjusted to the circumstances.
And I wasn’t alone. We weren’t alone. We were very clearly being led.
When our daily work is focused on Who we serve, then every obstacle becomes a means of growing in relationship, with Him and with one another. And the results? They are amazing.
Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine,
by the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians: 3:20-21
