*image taken from http://fromthepews.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/by-igzlzddeviantartdcom-title-heartache.jpg
In December, I wrote parts I and II of this series. If you missed them, you can click here for part I and here for part II. This is the
final chapter in that series, and a continuation of part I.
*****
I often talk to fellow teachers about behavior and
discipline. When it comes to how we
handle individual students, we all have our own tactics and styles. Whatever way we handle behavior issues
though, we have the same goal in mind – for the children to learn from their
decisions so they can grow up to be productive citizens.
Many teachers - myself included - believe that it is a good
thing if a child cries when their actions require us to give them individual
attention. As sadistic as this sounds,
it brings me joy when kids cry during these moments. This is because the tears
come when they become aware of the magnitude of their poor decision(s) and
understand they have not only disappointed their teachers, but also let
themselves down as well.
I recall how I felt that day I spoke with Tala (click here to read her story) like it happened yesterday.
Those tears – real, genuine, remorseful tears – falling from her eyes
brought no happiness to me. The sight of
sobbing students never makes me happy.
However, there is a difference between happiness and joy – an
understanding that my work with kids has helped me realize. Happiness occurs when I have a classroom full of kids that never do anything wrong, have great home lives, and are already great learners. Life is good because life is easy - and a chimpanzee could do my job. The success of these kids would be almost guaranteed! On the other hand, joy happens when kids turn a corner in my classroom. It is when they discover how to love learning, change previously bad habits, and learn from the poor choices that they make. For a teacher, joy is when a child realizes they can be better - and strives to become that person. Life is hard because it often takes blood, sweat, and many tears for this to happen. Yet when it happens, it is the best feeling in the world. It happens because I love my students and want to protect and grow them in the
safety of my classroom. None of my
students are perfect, so I have experienced joy with each of them.
As a human and as a Christian, I know that I am far from
perfect. I sin constantly and I know the
consequences of my actions…
For the wages of sin is death…
– Romans 6:23a
… so, knowing that we are created imperfect though, does it
follow that we are subjects of a merciless and unloving God? Does he punish us for our iniquities and
relish in the consequences of our actions?
Fortunately – like how I am with my students – God loves us too much to
leave us to our own devices. In doing
so, he gives us hope for a future…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Even though our poor decisions cause heartache to our loving
Teacher, He provides us with a way out…
…but the free gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 6:23b
*****
Much like my students – even the ones that don’t have
behavior issues - it is inevitable that we will continue to make missteps and
poor decisions in life. This comes no
matter who you are – after all, even the apostle Paul had his own vices. We are in God’s protective classroom though. When we allow Him to grow us and mold us, the
very discipline that causes Him heartache allows us to grow and become better
individuals. This brings our Creator
joy: we hurt Him, He loves us. Indeed,
God is good.
Epilogue…
Tala’s story, like all of ours, continues each day. Some days are good ones, where she is the
student that had become one of my hardest workers and a well-intentioned
student. Like all of us though, there
are days where she slips into her old ways.
The root of these episodes vary – sometimes she regresses because she
loses faith in her new ways, and sometimes it is because she is caught up with
the wrong people. While her actions
change day by day, the love of her Teacher never wavers.
