"If I could meet anyone in history, it would be..."

Every day, we are all faced with challenges that go unseen by casual observers. In the teaching field, this perhaps is more prevalent than in any of the other profession. If you've been following this blog, you know that my day doesn't end at 3:00 - not even close. This year, we have been implementing new curriculum guides that have been the bane of many of our existences because they cause much seemingly undue work.

I've been asked a few times why I would go into teaching so late in life. I tell them that my venture into the teaching field was brought about by a strong desire to follow my calling, one that is both philanthropic as well as evangelic, and every once in a while God will show me the fruits of my labor. In Virginia, we get a moment of silence before each day so that those of us that pray can do so silently. Last year, my students were curious at first. When they began to realize what I was doing, they honored this silence and asked me respectful questions that allowed me to answer questions about my faith. I am careful not to say 'share my faith' because that is strictly prohibited in the US school system and I dance carefully around this regulation.

This year, just a few days into the school year, one of my students - perhaps emboldened by his teacher's daily morning prayer - asked if he could share his journal response with the class. The question that I asked that morning was "If you could be or meet anyone in history, who would it be?" His answer was stated loudly and proudly to the whole class - "Mr. Lin, if I could meet anyone in history, it would be Jesus Christ."

Inside me, a smile was bursting through my unflinching exterior.