Sometimes I giggle to myself when I see those shirts that see "Jesus loves this hot mess". I just relate on so many levels. Well on two at least. I know with all my heart Jesus loves me, and I'm a hot mess most minutes of the day.
I teach third grade. All teachers know, but elementary teachers know all too well, the art of multitasking. People say it isn't really a thing, but it just is- trust me. There's nothing like redirecting a child, filling out a nurse form, finding lost papers, explaining why that e is silent and that one isn't, all while reading a great story and applying character traits. With Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers, and cute hall displays, it's easy to feel like what you're doing isn't ok. Except see, teachers are never ok with things being ok. We typically have that terrible diseas to please. But that's for another day. So it's a little humorous because it's very, very easy to be a hot mess in all the multitasking, but you're never ok being a hot mess because well, that's not ok. The truth, however is, sometimes I lose my checklist (that's a terrible way to start). Sometimes I forget to click the button to turn those lengthy lesson plans in, and it looks like I'm flying by the seat of my pants even though I finished them a week ago (yeah that happens once in a blue moon). Sometimes Tuesday folders go home on Wednesdays. Sometimes I forget to tell the child who didn't do his homework, or whatever else, to sit out at recess, and he enjoys ten minutes of feeling like he fooled the teacher. Sometimes I say the absolute wrong thing. Sometimes my lesson plans might as well have been thrown out the window. Sometimes I don't have cute chevron designs and fancy writing on everything. Sometimes I forget to make copies. And what I'm finally learning is it's ok. It's ok if every detail of every day is not Pinterest "perfect". It's ok if every once in a while if a lesson just flops. It's ok. I'm a firm believer in Colossians 3:23. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; So often I find my desire to please shift away from seeking to honor God and instead wanting to be Pinterest "perfect". I'm finally stepping back and ask myself what all the hours are going in for. Am I doing this to honor God? Help a child? Or am I doing this because oh dear that bulletin board really puts mine to shame, and now I need something cute? Oh no, that book is probably better than the one I'm reading, let me change my lesson plans and find a blog or a great TPT purchase? One of my favorite parts about teaching is the relationships I get to build. Every day kids come to me and leave. I never know what they came from or what they're going home to, but every day I pray they leave knowing I love them. I hope they learn math strategies and reading skills, but I really hope they learn how to be productive citizens. I hope they learn so much! However, I can't imagine that they'll remember the perfectly laminated task cards and poster as much as how they felt each day. Clearly academics are important- don't get me wrong. The Good Lord knows I spend enough time planning. Some days I wonder if even make minimum wage with the hours put in. Also, nothing wrong with a cute this and that! Sometimes I can't help myself but to add a little chevron pizzazz! Where I'm at fault is the pressure I put on myself in keeping up with Jones' teacher (you'll catch that in a minute). Dear teacher, please know I hard core believe you should give your all. There are 20+ precious lives you get to impact in a negative or positive way. Your time is short with them, but your influence can be long. However, cut yourself some slack. It's ok to not be Pinterest perfect. It's ok to not stand out (yes, I said it). At the end of the day, did you honor God? Did you love your students? Did you give your best? Teachers cannot help but to go over and beyond. But it's ok to give yourself a break. It's ok to not color code your calendar. It's ok to have a hand made poster. It's ok to make copies right before you need them. It's ok if you brought your teacher bag home and went to sleep instead of grading those papers. It really is ok to not be Pinterest "perfect". The only perfection that ever has been was Jesus Christ, and we are not Him. Let Him carry those burdens. Let His love shine through you, so you can help to mold those precious, young lives. It's ok.
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