What do you do when they just aren't teachable? They should be so thankful! They should know that I have their best interests in mind. They should... They should... It's so easy to become offended by the negative attitudes and behavior of our children.
Math has been so challenging. They have felt frustrated. It's too hard. Tell me about it. There's nothing easy about teaching someone who doesn't want to learn...
Nothing is learned and nothing gained in doing only what is easy and familiar. For the kids and for me. Once again, I know there's something He wants me to learn. There's more at play than the challenge of long division. There's a Grand Efficiency wherein we're all growing in this process...
One morning all I met was furrowed brows and whining. Stubbornness. My jaws were aching, clenched. Anger was simmering. All around. How on earth am I supposed to deal with this?? A whisper answered my anguished cry, "Love like He does...expecting nothing in return."
Time out for mom--I know this verse. I need to find it and read it in it's entirety--and figure out how it apply it to this struggle.
"Watch what God does, and then you do it,
like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.
Mostly what God does is love you.
Keep company with him and learn a life of love.
Keep company with him and learn a life of love.
Observe how Christ loved us.
His love was not cautious but extravagant.
He didn't love in order to get something from us
but to give everything of himself to us.
Love like that."*
Not cautious, but extravagant. Expecting nothing in return. Giving everything of himself to us.
No punishment. He took that upon Himself. No condemnation. No guilt trip. No "should-ing" on us.
I returned to the classroom humbled. Boundaries and consequences must remain, but my anger won't accomplish anything I truly desire. I love the way the Amplified Bible says that "God's love in us is...patient, kind, long suffering, never envious or touchy or fretful or resentful." God's love in us. I don't have to, couldn't possibly, come up with it on my own...I do have to pause and lean into Him. Receiving so I can give.
No one's jumping up and down with excitement about math...yet. A little one did snuggle up to me and say, "Thanks, Mom. I like you." Good fruit.
*Ephesians 5:1-2 MSG
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful!
But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of
right living for those who are trained in this way.
So take a new grip with your tired hands
and strengthen your weak knees.
Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those
who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Hebrews 12:11-13
*Ephesians 5:1-2 MSG
I think I could spend weeks unpacking all the treasures in this post...you always pick such glorious verses. Love without expecting anything in return. Let all that you do be done in love (1 Cor 16:14) has been on my mind lately, too...
ReplyDeleteI sure needed this post! Don't you love how much we have to rely on Him to meet the needs of these little ones? Maybe that's the point? Thanks for writing Michelle!
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