Do you dread starting to school? Whether you are a student or a teacher, I feel your pain. That’s why I’m dedicating this month’s blog to both students and teachers. You can do it!
Philippians 4:13!
My friends often tell me I worry too much. As an English teacher I worried about meeting state standards, achieving advanced test scores, finding quality time to delve deeply into Shakespeare, etc. As a piano teacher I worry that my students will worry they’re not good enough. Like Little Mole and the characters in First Day Critter Jitters, I’m often thinking about “what ifs.”
In Little Mole Goes to School by Glenys Nellist (illustrations by Sally Garland, ©2022 Beaming Books), Little Mole worries about his first day. He shares with his mama the “what ifs” on his mind as he makes his way to the school gate.
“What if I can’t see and hear the teacher very well?”
In First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John (illustrations by Liz Climo, ©2020 Dial Books for Young Readers), the first day of school makes all the animals nervous, including their teacher!
“What if I’m in class and I want to hop around, but I have to sit still instead? I just have so much energy!!!!!!”
Again, I feel their pain!
When I was a child, I declared I would NEVER go to school. I don’t remember why I had this attitude, but my older sister and parents often reminded me of my stubborn and oft-made declaration. I do remember being nervous and crying at the end of that first day because I couldn’t find my sister.
Ah, the irony of it all! Not only did I go to school on that first day, but I also made teaching a life-long career and had many, many first day jitters.
As a teacher and a life-long learner, I understand the stress and anxiety of a new school year. As a Christian I know you can depend on God to see you through any unknown territory. Max Lucado’s book You Can Count on God offers 100 devotions for kids as they navigate their worries.
The entry entitled “Be C.A.L.M.” shows kids how to relieve some of their worry. Lucado says, “When you celebrate, ask, leave, and meditate—when you are C.A.L.M.—God takes away those worrying thoughts. And he fills you up with his peace instead.”
In his devotion “Don’t Worry; Look Around,” Lucado explains how God takes care of everything He has created:
Just look at the animals. Lions have manes, clams have shells, and bears have coats. . . . The animals don’t drive tractors, plant fields, or order pizza for delivery. But God makes sure they have what they need to eat. Anteaters have ants. Birds have seeds and big, juicy worms. And the panda has its bamboo. God loves all these animals, but not nearly as much as he loves you.
“So don’t worry. Just look around!”
Before sending the kids off to school in the morning and before tucking them into bed at night, remind them to let God handle their “what ifs.”
Encourage your teens to focus on Philippians 4:13 and set aside some journaling and/or devotional time when worry begins to weigh them down. Emmie R. Werner’s Teen Can (illustrations by Jack Foster, ©2022 by Halo Publishing International) shows them how to “put [their] worries in the can and turn them over to God.”
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”—1 Peter 5:7
A Little God Time for Teachers (©2016 by Broadstreet Publishing) is another great resource for teachers, a select group of servants after God’s own heart.
Teachers like me and students like Little Mole often ride the “Worry Train.” This book’s devotion for July 22 suggests how we can replace our worry with peace:
“Stress can be an active participant in the life of a teacher. If not kept in check, it soon becomes the only participant. You wake up every day feeling the immediate weight of the day in front of you. This can lead to unhealthy attitudes and lifestyle choices, and general unhappiness. Worry and stress do nothing to your life but give the enemy a chance to bring you down. Recognizing that stress leads to worry, frustration, and unhappiness makes you aware that stress needs a release. Friend, you can do this in Christ!
Jesus brings light and life to a situation that seems endless and worrisome. He promises to take it from you and replace it with peace. Peace, amidst a crazy busy job, can be a beautiful reminder that releasing stress and worry is possible. Peace in Jesus reminds you of what is important—what truly matters. Peace gives you hope in the everyday routine.”
The August 6 entry encourages teachers to make Jesus and His word a priority:
“As a teacher and follower of Jesus, the Lord has given you a gift—a gift of teaching in his name, a promise of peace with instruction from God. What a beautiful picture for approaching each day of teaching.”
Like many other underappreciated professions, teaching is an act of servitude. We teach, not because we can’t do anything else, but because we want to serve others. The devotion entitled “Dirty Feet” states,
“As a teacher, you stoop to help children up to the platform of learning. You recite and relearn topics, whether your aim is to adapt to the newest math technique or brush up on your skills so you can process and share information more fluently.”
When Jesus washed dirty feet and associated with tax collectors in need of reformation, He modeled the greatest act of servitude.
“He took the role of servant even though he was the greatest teacher in history.”
Many of the best teachers I know devote their lives to this profession, not because of the pay or the prestige, but because they are called to serve.
So to students and teachers alike, I challenge you to stand firm in the Lord.
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.”—Psalm 55:22
When you walk with Him, the Heavenly Father will give you courage and envelop you with love as you face your fears.
Little Mole’s mother plays a similar role as she sends her son off to school. She reassures him that everything will be okay; and at the end of the day, he discovers his own special gifts. The other students learn to use their individual talents as well.
“When school was over, Little Mole rushed out and gave his mama a huge hug. “Mama, I love school,” he said excitedly.
“I’m learning my alphabet, I made some new friends, and guess what? We’re all good at different things!”
Whether you are a new student like Little Mole or a veteran teacher, I hope you remember that you can do all things through the Master Teacher. Let Him take care of the “what ifs.”
As you begin the new school year, may you all share Little Mole’s excitement. May you carry God’s Word with you throughout each day and be blessed beyond measure!
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“The best thing for being sad is to learn something.”—T. H. White
“Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach.”—Aristotle
“We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why.”—Stephen King
“Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.”—Erma Bombeck
Matthew 6:34; 1 Peter 3:14; 2 Timothy 1:7
