He Was There...All the Time

This week has resulted in  God placing me in a path at least three times.  As I ponder on these encounters, I realize that His placing me there...was also for me.

I have been working with a student who will be the first in his family to graduate...just as I was.  When I told my husband about this, his comment was, "This still happens in this day and age?"

Yes, first generation graduates still happen.

The first semester, I dragged, pushed, plodded that kid across the passing line, knowing that at times that kid probably could not stand me!  But.  But this semester he is different.  He's paying attention, completing assignments, talking to others, accepting my offer to buy him more books to read.  He is engaged within the classroom.  What has made the difference?  I truly think he needed success in his life, and passing my class was that success.  Maybe he needs someone in his corner, saying, "You can do this."

He can.  He did.  He will.

Then, I noticed him talking to a football player, encouraging the Football Player to read a book.  Yay!

Then, I decided to ask that Football Player to join what I am calling The Tag Team, for several of us are tag teaming to ensure this boy graduates, as we are already telling him we will stand and cheer when he walks across that stage on graduation night.  The first in his family to graduate. (You may want to make plans to attend, also!)

The Football Player stops by after I asked him to drop in when he had a moment.  Now picture it:  this is a boy whose parents are a doctor and teacher, who has had much success and popularity in school.  As I began to describe Boy 1 and explain some of the situation, noting that he could make a difference in this young man's life, he would say, "I have noticed."  "I want to be a part of this."

I had chill bumps all over me.  God stood there and anointed and blessed that time.

You see...I was born for such a moment as this...and so were both of these young men.

Later in the week, with my senior English classes, we analyzed Baca's poem "A Daily Joy to Be Alive," and, at one point, I shared with them some of my "ruins" from which "new beginnings" came, for as, I explained to them, I have applied for several positions within my district and have never been hired.  No matter the degrees, experience, or test scores.  As a matter of fact, I was not hired for my current position; I came in when my former school was forced to consolidate.

Yet...when other schools called and asked me to apply, I could not.  Spiritually, I could not get permission to leave.

At one point in that discussion, I heard myself say, "You see I am to enter that door right there...every day...until another door opens for me.  I am to teach."

I heard a quiet voice say, "That is so inspiring."

Yes, it was to me, also, for those words were for me, for that was one of those times when you finish talking...and you know that it wasn't really you talking.

God stood there and anointed and blessed that time.

You see...I was born for such a moment as this.

On this same day, another student shared that his mom made him read 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens and "some other book."

Since he was forced to read those books, his mom has since eased into Heaven, and he has such a precious memory.

I told him, "You had a good momma."

You see...I was born for such a moment at this.

I wish I could take back every time I have moaned and groaned and questioned why those doors in my professional life will not open for me.

They will not open, for I am praying that God's Perfect Will be done in my life.

His Will is that I enter my classroom door every day...until He opens another.