Dear Tired Teacher, You Are Loved

No one saw you get up in the engulfing darkness this morning.

Your achy feet padded across the floor with a heavy trudge as you headed into your morning routine.

The quiet of the day surrounded you as your mind raced with the million and one little things you needed to accomplish in less than 18 hours.

All you really wanted to do was crawl back between those warm sheets and sleep away the hours with the rest of the weary world.

There is a tapestry of faces awaiting  you as the sun kisses the horizon on this winter day and you are so very tired.

You put on a brave face, pray for a bit of strength, and take one more sip of coffee.

“I can do this” you say.

“I am making a difference, ” you think.

“People care,” you try to remind yourself.

But no one saw the frustration on that kids’ face yesterday–or felt your frustration with them.

No one felt the sting of loneliness as you methodically went through your plans and changed your schedule for the 100th time this week.

No one felt the heart piercing pain of a parent who falsely accused you of “not being on top of your game”.

You wonder if the days are worth it.  You wonder if anyone is listening or even cares.

But, someone does see.  Someone does care.  Someone who has been there.

He was a teacher, too. He experienced the pain. He saw the rejection.  He felt the loneliness.

He gets it.  He understands.

Whether you are a public teacher, private teacher, home school teacher, Sunday school teacher, preschool, elementary, high school–if you bestow knowledge on another, you are doing a hard and thankless job.

Hours of sacrifice and countless words of criticism pierce the souls of those who serve with compassion every single day.

On this February Day in the bleakness of winter, let yourself be encouraged that you have been given a special gifting.  That among all the countless souls created, you have words to teach others, and they are important.

That even on the days you feel unable to go another step, God is with you.

That when all of the stuff outside of teaching seems to overwhelm you and you can barely think about “work”, God will give you strength.

That despite your inner voice of defeat, there is someone who is being touched by your smile and your presence today.

Continue to use your gifting and lean into your calling.  It is changing future generations.

YOU ARE LOVED

I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. (Jeremiah 31:3, ESV)