“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me…” – Matthew 25:40
For many educators, we are a month or more into the start of a new school year. A new school year is filled with anticipation, nervousness, excitement, but also a bit of anxiety as we navigate a new year with mostly (if not all) new students, new faces, new personalities, new needs, cares, worries, and stressors.
Teacher friend, I see you. But most importantly, I want you to know that God sees you. He sees you worry about the student who just can’t seem to stay awake or the student who you know didn’t have dinner last night. He sees you when you get frustrated as the student who always seems to have one more snarky or snide comment raises their hand, and you just can’t take one more comment (or maybe that’s just me). He sees you when you have very little left to give when you get home to your family because you are mentally and emotionally spent and accidentally snip at your loved one (or maybe that’s just me too). He also sees when you lay your tired head, heavy heart, and limp biscuit body on the bed with only enough courage to say, “Lord, help me.”
He also sees you, teacher friend, when you acknowledge that student’s hand, answer the question, and strive to make a relationship with a need that must be met. He also sees you when you bring snacks for the kiddo who may need a little something extra. He sees the dinner being made for all your babies who need your love and your hugs and your kisses and the joy when they love, and hug, and kiss you first. And that prayer – that prayer that had nothing left to give with very little words that were barely audible – He heard it loudly and clearly.
Teacher friend – do you even know your acts of service? Do you even see how the Spirit rejoices when you just give and give and give even when there’s nothing left to give? Your life, your calling, your gift – it is a beautiful act of sacrificial service that you get to bestow upon the least of these day after day after day.
Take courage, sweet friend. Never fear. God is near. His Spirit is here. And He will always respond to your sweet prayer, “Lord, help me.”
Love you, sweet teachers.
XOXO, Loni
living loved 
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