Keeping Christ at the Center of Christmas

I have to admit, I'm excited to spend time shopping for gifts this Christmas, even though the commercialism abounds in stores and online. This is the perfect time to show the world a contrast to self-centered impatience when we're standing in line, selecting gifts, and conversing with people around us. As I look for the perfect presents for my Secret Santa and for each family member, I am especially on the lookout for gifts that point to Jesus, the Savior which is Christ the Lord. I also make a point to thank vendors who offer nativity-themed gifts and decor, and in my classroom, I'm encouraging students to think of those less fortunate than themselves.

One of my favorite places to find Christ-centered gifts is Dayspring (affiliate link). I can spend hours in their eCard Studio, writing and sending cards that encourage others any season of the year. And right now, Dayspring is offering 30% off sitewide for their Black Friday Sale. Beat the mad shopping rush, find Christ-centered gifts and decor, and help Christian Teacher, Public School keep blogging.

Thank you so much for your encouragement and readership. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Grateful as I Ponder a Deadline Met

Phew! It feels good to meet a deadline.

Today was the big day when my unit was due in the class I have been taking this school year. I have a lot to be thankful for, now that I've hit "submit" to send the unit in for review.

First, I'm so glad I started teaching the unit in my sophomore English classroom a week ago. That has allowed me to make some changes along the way after getting feedback from students and my aide.

Second, I'm grateful for my classmates who informally chatted with me about my unit all along the way. Many are more experienced teachers than I, so I had a lot to take away from each conversation.

Third, I'm praising God for encouragement from Dalene (see her post below!), who seemed to intuitively know that I needed encouragement and sent me a prayer yesterday. God has been so good to me, and even the pressure of a major deadline became manageable because of His help and the encouragement of friends.

Fourth, I am thankful for parent help on Saturday with concessions (my advisory class fundraiser). Instead of being on my feet the whole time selling hot dogs and candy bars with my students, I was able to sit at my desk and (mostly) tune out the hullabaloo so I could fine-tune my unit. Unbeknownst to me, our power at home would be out that day and Sunday, so that work time became time even more priceless.

And fifth, I am thankful for a holiday today so I could finish the thing and send it in on time. Maybe that's a narrow view of the holiday, but today I am grateful.

Other random blessings for which I am thankful at this moment? The magazine Christianity Today, the Gospels, Internet that works again, kids who rediscovered some of their low-tech hobbies while the Internet was down, blog readers from Poland, and drama class!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Thankful Third-Graders

Some of the things my son's third-grade public-school classmates are thankful for this Thanksgiving:

Mom and Dad
Baby sister
Family
Teacher
School
My freedom
Pet dog
Nature
God
Church
The Bible
Video games
Friends
Being loved

It did me so much good to hear the kids read their short essays about three things they were thankful for. The class also performed a traditional, low-key skit about the First Thanksgiving. My son (a Pilgrim in a floppy hat) is blessed to have a teacher who encourages her students to think on what's really important in life.

Here's another example of her ability to keep it simple. Instead of the craziness of a class Secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange this December, she is having each student hang a sock above his or her cubby. Each student will bring in a small item such as a piece of candy for each classmate's sock. Minimal fuss, no inflated expectations, and a sock full of simple goodies for each child. I predict no tears and lots of smiles.

Survival Challenge

Every teacher faces adversity. In the school setting, adversity can be present in the little things, such as a student who hasn't done her homework, a carefully-planned lesson that tanks, a gossiping coworker, an overly sensitive parent, or even profanity in the halls. Sometimes, though, it's a situation more difficult to navigate, and your job is on the line. The challenge is to endure.

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." II Tim. 2:3

I keep wondering if this will be the year when I finally have smooth sailing and I start to feel like a pro (in case you're wondering, the answer to that question is always, "Dream on."). In fact, sometimes it seems like the more training I pursue, the more carefully I plan, the more hours I put in, the less I am appreciated and the tougher my job becomes. The result is, it's tempting to slip into Survival Mode instead of Proficiency Mode.

This year--my tenth as an employee in the public school system--has presented numerous survival challenges. To my surprise, the worst of them have centered around communication failures on my part. What? I'm a writer! I should have the communication thing down! And yet communication is a broad field strewn with landmines that do not discriminate between civilians and seasoned soldiers. Just as a marriage has to be tended and maintained through struggles, so teachers must constantly (and humbly!) hone their communication skills. It might get harder before it gets easier.

This November, I've had a new rash of communication challenges. To help me stay in a Proficiency frame of mind, I've been offering prayers of thanksgiving for some of the good gifts in my life right now. For example, I'm thankful for a supportive husband who is there for me when I'm getting behind on my professional development class. I'm thankful for coworkers who pray with me and for me. I'm thankful for God's watch-care over my children. And Clemson's still unbeaten!

If you're facing adversity, the true survival challenge is to offer thanks in the midst of it all. Colossians 3:17 says,

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

And in James,

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." (NASB)

Maybe next year will be the year when you have smooth sailing. Maybe not. But God does have a future for you and your special talents. Right now he's working in you to prepare you for that task. You'll need endurance, and this is how you get it.