HEAVENLY MESSAGES

My first few weeks of teaching has been an adventure.  I have met some unique individuals tirelessly working to educate young people.  Relationships and bonds have been formed that I only hope will last for a very long time.  I could spend hours describing the students that comprise my language arts and public speaking classes.  My world had become very small over the years, but in an instant the blinds were opened and  sunlight filled my soul. The spark of creativity and passion flickers just a little brighter as I take on this new challenge. 

The amount of new information that has been thrown at me seriously has made me wonder what the heck I am doing.  One day I forgot my key and was locked out of my classroom and then I went to make copies only to forget the 5 digit code that had been given to me the day before.  State curriculum guides, lesson plans, the names of 90 students and an enormous faculty, team meetings, parent conferences...and I have only been working 2 weeks!!!   I still chuckle to myself when I think about me wandering around the school pretending that I actually know where I am going.  I work on the 7th grade hall and the design is a big circle so even if you take a wrong turn somehow you will end up back where you started.  One day I got lost coming back from the cafeteria and I ended up at the gym.  Immediately I started to think of the lie I could create if I ran into another teacher.  "Just checking out the school...everything looks good."  All of a sudden I noticed blocks of color that had been painted on the wall that had quotes on them.  One in particular caught my eye..."Don't Ever Give Up!"  -Jim Valvano 

Seriously!!!  I have never seen that quote written on the wall of any school where I have visited.  And yet, I ended up working at the very middle school in North Carolina that has it boldly painted for all to see.  Once again I was reminded of the fact that God's timing is so perfect.  We need not worry about our path or journey, but only continue to surrender our will.  And if by chance, like me, you get a little turned around...I promise there are signs always available to point you in the right direction. Most days I find a reason to walk by that quote and I cannot help but smile, look upward, and quietly whisper, "Okay, Dad I got it."  My load always seems just a little bit lighter because I know I am never alone.

Are you listening?