“When life is perfect, we are content.”
This sentence was written by my fifth grade student in the private, one room schoolhouse I was teaching in small town Dornsife, Pennsylvania.
Life was “perfect”, indeed.
After being assistant teacher/tutor for the last eight weeks of school the previous year, I was now teaching my first term in this school since the former teacher decided to get married, as most seem to do at some point.
School was where I loved to be. I worked long hours and did little else. I poured my heart into the 26 children I was privileged to teach and love every day. I had big dreams for the future of the school. My co-teacher, Linda, was amazing. Our path was marked with success and things were looking bright.
However, God’s had other plans. Who knew that one day I would no longer be accepted in my role there. As a result of choosing revoke my membership with the Amish church, I was no longer allowed this position.
For Linda and I, the next six weeks of school in my preparation to leave and hers to take over the position, were indeed among the hardest times of surrender when all we wanted was to continue on as we were and finish the term together. I remember wondering why God or man or even myself would interfere with something so obviously good? But the favor of God and the working of the Holy Spirit in our classroom, our hearts, and the hearts of the children at that time was so evident and astounding and the blessings and memories birthed out of that, simply incredible.
Linda and I often reflected on that simple phrase from our student, “life is perfect”. And discovered that often, in the right perspective, it truly could be seen as perfect. How awesome the goodness and faithfulness of God and his grace over us in that difficult time!! That, by all means, deserves acknowledgment of PERFECTION. However, through it all, we essentially learned not that we are content when life is perfect, but that life is perfect when we are content. And true contentment comes from a fixed focus on, and trust in the ultimate source of life and love, our Father God.
Teaching school has built for me the greatest memories and still stirs in my heart some ardent passion. I love working with children, seeking to understand their hearts, their dreams, and helping to point them to a brighter future, be that through education, or more importantly through imparting the truth of God’s word into their young minds.
For the past eight years I’ve been in some school teaching some children. The more time I spend in a classroom, the more I recognize my love of being there. Essentially though, it’s not about the classroom walls but about the child in front of me.
Please read my teammate’s blog on what she lost in Cambodia. She expresses well the loss of comforts and how that affects us. Being stripped of these things certainly isn’t preferable, but oh the beauty of finding peace and contentment in spite of physical and material lack. Find her story Here.
Today, on the World Race, I learn time and time again how much value I had placed on social status, position, and even my own abilities and successes. How beautiful to know that all God wants for me is to be. I am eternally grateful for his grace and mercy towards me. He is so patient with me. My Teacher walks me through each lesson, step by step, encouraging and guiding me. As I pass each test, however hard the lesson learned, he cheers me on in embracing the next challenge.
Teaching English here in Cambodia, has reignited that dynamite passion in my heart. These Asian children are very friendly and polite and quite receptive of our teaching methods. With handmade alphabet cards, we taught phonics and some reading. We taught colors, numbers, animals, feelings, and body parts. We played games and sang songs. Weaved into our curriculum, we taught bible stories and the love of Jesus. I was delighted to be back in the classroom and I thank God for redeeming the opportunity for teaching.
Whether or not life finds me in a classroom in the future; whether or not God places you where you believe you want to be, may we remember the source of peace and contentment, where life is perfect.
