I wrote this blog a few weeks ago, waiting for the right time to share it. I think that today is the perfect day to remember what we have to offer to an often dark and chaotic world.
Let’s talk about chaos. Picture this:
Nine two-year-olds.
Chaotic enough for you yet? Now take away the environment they are used to.
You now have nine upset two-year-olds.
Now put those potty training two-year-olds into a temporary environment they are not used to without a nearby bathroom.
You now have nine upset two-year-olds and a stressed out teacher. Chaotic indeed!
I absolutely love my job as a teacher. My classroom is, for the most part, smooth running and peaceful. My students rarely cry—we prefer to giggle. I was proud of that for a long time, but discovered at the beginning of this school year that gratitude would have been the more accurate response.
I was supposed to switch from one classroom to another, but when renovations fell behind schedule, it became necessary to put together a makeshift classroom. With the nearest usable toilet being down the hall, I suddenly found that I was spending the majority of my day in the hall bathroom. There were lots of tears in the three weeks that followed (not all of them from the kids!). I began to wonder if all the peace and joy that my classroom had been known for was really only based on circumstances. Otherwise, how could a change of circumstances so easily rob my peace?
I was sharing all of this with a friend when I was reminded that I carry that peace within me and it goes wherever I go. Imagine all the places I will be going next year. Some of them will be very chaotic and dark and it is very likely that I will not be able to change those physical circumstances. Can I still make a difference by carrying peace into those places? I really had to stop and think about that question after the poor reaction to my own circumstances, but I believe the answer is yes. Going without a classroom was worth being humbled in the knowledge that peace does not come from my own efforts, but can only come from God. His peace truly makes a difference in any circumstance.
“Now is the time to set my heart to trust Him no matter what. Now is the time to have a glad heart, like my King who is coming soon to redeem everything. Now is the time for me to get in agreement with His plan, and to remember He has a perfect record of provision. He owns it all, and He withholds no good thing from those in agreement with Him!” –Tom Stolz
"Lord, you will grant us peace; all that we have accomplished is really from you." Isaiah 26:12
