I love school supplies.
I miss the need to PURCHASE school supplies.
Today, I walked through Staples to send faxes to Ohio for my mom; and there were the school supplies, strategically placed all around the store. I browsed the shelves for thirty minutes (after sending the fax,) admiring the school supplies.
True, I already realized that my two favorite store types are office supply stores and book stores (I can actually spend a great deal of time in either one), but I did NOT realize the impulsive need I feel to stock up on school supplies.
Passing the teacher cute stuff was quite horrendous. At one point I may have been at the point of tears.
No longer is that my privilege!
No longer can I have the honor of using teacher discounts.
It’s just the idea of those SCHOOL SUPPLIES! I love them. I want to use them with children for fun projects. I want to set them up on little desks, holding little bodies eager to see what the new school year will bring.
When I was recently at Border’s (I should pass this on to my teacher friends) I saw a Corduroy big book. Wow! Wouldn’t my students have enjoyed that?! Just imagine everyone sitting around on the floor as we follow the words, and turn the shuffling pages. They would have been delighted. Pooh Bear was also there as a big book. They were only $7.99. I was so tempted. Yet I resisted.
But, apparently, resistance was yesterday.
Today I went to Target.
Now, I did go to Target for a very noble reason. I went in order to purchase a planner.
Foolishly, I walked to the school supply section and could not turn away.
Not that I spent bukoo bucks on “bouquets of freshly cut pencils,” but I did spend (approximately $10) on school supplies:
Crayola markers (2 boxes-- 10 count – these are the BEST and they always sell out QUICKLY because they are the fat kind and only $1),
#2 pencils (1 box – 24 count),
Papermate pens (10 count – 1 package red, 1 package blue, and 1 package black; 50 cents each!!),
College-ruled loose-leaf paper (150 count? 75 cents – I don’t have much loose leaf and I am using it in my Bible study time; to be ORGANIZED!).
Kudos to me, I did NOT buy the erasers, or a pencil pouch, or the cute folders, or another notebook, or the talking world globe, or the small calculator. I stuck to the “necessities”. (cough, cough)
I just didn’t realize I would go through this mourning period for my teaching career.
I don’t necessarily want it back, but I want my students back.
I want to hear their stories about their lives! I want to be able to care for their owies, untied shoelaces, and hurt feelings.
I want to show them how to enjoy learning, how to be scientists, how to ask questions, how to love the Lord, how to study His word, how to sing fun songs, and how to love one another.
I want to be there while they learn and grow. I want to be there to influence their families for the Lord.
I have asked the Lord a few times – just to “be sure” – if He will make sure they are okay without me. Last year I had these same feelings. I just wanted to wrap my students under my mother hen arms and make sure they were all right. Last year, my classroom was next to their new classroom and I got to wave at them and hug them often. This year, I will be across the country from my old first graders.
Hugging will not be possible.
But the Lord is in control. I am not needed. He used me and now He is taking me elsewhere.
I will be praying for my students as I see the aisles brimming with school supplies.
I will be thankful for the opportunities the Lord gave me to be a part of their lives.
I will learn that I love people.
I will learn how important it is to invest in the lives of others.
May they grow up to be bold for the Lord!
May they proclaim Him who is true because they KNOW Him and are IN Him who is true!
May the Lord save their souls and work in them mightily!!!!
I do love my students…and the supplies they use.
2 comments:
In your sort of weird way, ok weird way, you write along and say on the page exactly what you would say in real life, just w/o hand motions and big pauses.
A Mart God has gifted you in a very unique and wonderful way and He has a perfect plan for your life, though none know exactly what that will look like right now. Don't worry- He knows what are your joys and delights and as you follow Him He will give you those delights.
Tears are on my check right now as I think about the impact that you have had on those little lives you have been with, but you just wait and see, Is.40, what He has planned for you; exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or think.
I was never a "teacher" but we are all teachers to some extent or another and even though I didn't really like school, I did always like the first week because all pencils and notebooks were brand new and crisp- I can relate to that one.
I am confident that you will get to use your new supplies along the way somewhere but I am even more confident in this- That He Who began the good work in you will be faithful to complete that work.
Our God is awesome and He knows and cares about things even as small as school supplies. Stay close to Jesus, little sister.
THANK YOU, Sir.
I most definitely needed your words of encouragement.
I am fighting to keep my focus on the Lord and the goodness of His plans and that this is passing and momentary. ...Not even that I really want to TEACH, but that (may I post this publicly?? Sure...) that I don't know what to do as a single girl forever in her father's house. :0) (I would much rather go out and have adventures with various peoples in various places.) It scares me to (possibly) always live at home. And yet, I must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Not my plans.) He does love me. I will not lean on my own understanding. I will acknowledge Him in all my ways and He will make my plans straight.
He is working to refine my inner man. This is the best way and I will trust and obey...fighting the good fight of faith.
Fighting to die to myself.
(Maybe I should make that the title of my next blog post? haha)
Thank you for your time and words!!!!
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