You Make a Difference: Terrific TeachersSample

Fully Alive

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. MATTHEW 6:34 NIV

As the clock ticked down on another long, exhausting day teaching fourth grade, Lena stood at the back of the classroom sorting papers. On the outside, she was the picture of calm productivity, but on the inside, her thoughts were spinning and frantic, running from one impossible task on her to-do list to another.

The children had already packed up their things in expectation of dismissal, and now they were scattered around the room. Some were reading, while others were getting a start on the night’s homework. A few students were finishing up classroom chores—taking out the trash, sweeping the floor, and emptying the pencil sharpener. Two daughters of first-generation immigrants were drawing on the whiteboard. Aliyah, a Sudanese refugee, stood tall, her dark hair falling in braids down the back of her uniform. Mexican-American Sofi, a pencil shoved into one of her pigtails, was the shortest child in the classroom, barely reaching Aliyah’s shoulder in height.

Vaguely, Lena was aware of their chatter and giggling until Aliyah said something Sofi found especially funny. A moment later, both girls dissolved in laughter. Lena turned, papers still clutched in her hand, to watch as the friends collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath between giggles. Lena knew their stories. She understood all too well that life was rarely easy for their families. Still, at that moment, neither of the girls was worried about the challenges of the future or being trapped in the painful struggles of the past. They were living fully, joyfully, in the present. Saint Irenaeus has been famously quoted as declaring, “The glory of God is a person who is fully alive.” The quote has persisted for almost two thousand years because it rings true.

God, the Giver and Sustainer of life, calls relentlessly for all of creation to live fully. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10 NIV). Lena laid the papers down, took a deep breath, and began to smile as she watched the girls. The failures of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow could wait for a moment. The present, shot through with joy, was waiting.

Life Giver, You are the God of all eternity, where the past, present, and future are held side by side in Your loving hands. Help me leave yesterday's failings and tomorrow's worries with You so that I might live joyfully in the present, fully alive for Your glory. Amen.