"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3: 23
Yesterday was the first day of class. I am only teaching three sections because of low enrollment, but the good thing is my pay is not affected because I am on contract. I am trying to be a better teacher to blossom where God has placed me as a blessing to the students and salt and light on campus. I recently read the results of a study that was conducted by Teach for America regarding predictors of excellence in teaching. The results: “The two overarching traits of an excellent teacher as judged by student outcomes are persistence in the face of challenge and high life satisfaction.” I have been thinking about this ever since because I do want to be a good teacher. I have focused mostly on the idea of high life satisfaction. With the great love and many blessings God has given me what is holding me back from feeling completely satisfied with my life? I have a good job, wonderful children, friends, opportunities to serve, health and home. After reflecting for some time on the matter I decided that a critical issue revolves around the fact that I often times don’t do the very things that I really want to do, things like write to my friends and family on a consistent basis, work in the garden, or walk the dog and vacuum EVERY day. I bought paint for my gate and then never painted it for over two, perhaps three, years. But I am working on changing. I am working on it. I painted my gate this week. I cleaned my closet last month. I have been riding my bike and walking the dog almost every day. I need God’s grace, and I need God’s help on a daily basis. I thank him for his love and thank him for his patience with me. I thank him for his grace and for his precious son, Jesus Christ.
