Hope For Kids When School Is HardSample

In the car on the way to school, Lucas and his mom talked about what he might say to his teacher. “Do you want to come in with me?” Lucas asked.

“No. I think you can be brave.” His mom answered.

Lucas’s math teacher was alone in the classroom. He smiled when Lucas walked in.

“Lucas! I wasn’t expecting you. What’s up?”

Lucas took a deep breath. “I came to talk about my quiz,” he said. “And about the stuff we’re learning now. I’m not… um… I think I need some help.”

“I’m glad you came in,” the teacher said. “I know lots of ways to help. Did you try the flashcard method?” Lucas looked at him blankly. “The one we practiced in class last week?”

Lucas shook his head. “I guess I wasn’t paying attention. Sorry.”

“That’s okay,” the teacher said, pulling up a chair for Lucas. “You’re here now. Let’s work on it together.”

Do you want to walk into school like you own the place? Like you’re powerful? Like you’re in control?

The Bible has a funny word for power plus control. That word is meek. The most powerful leader of ancient Israel, Moses, was described in Numbers 12:3 as the meekest man on earth. Jesus described himself as “meek and lowly” (Matthew 11:28-29.) It might seem strange, but we can feel better at school by becoming meeker.

Jesus said that the meek will inherit the earth. That means school, business, the world can be yours, if you use your power to do what’s right. What do you think God wants you to do today?

Try this: Remember your story about a super-un-hero? Now imagine your school is a secret training program for super-un-heroes to discover their powers. You are a hero in training. What superhero teachers would help you? Write down the names of all real teachers, aids, friends or family who might be helpful to you. Give them each a superhero identity, like “Mathbrainiac” or “Sidekick Flashcard”. Imagine asking them to go on a top-secret mission with you to develop your superpowers.

Prayer

God, you see my struggles. Bless me with people who can help. My hope is in you, God. Amen.

We hope you were encouraged by this plan. Find more plans from the Theology of Work Project at www.theologyofwork.org/devotions