Ask

He says, "Ask, and you shall receive."

In my teaching career, I have far too often been guilty of not asking. Maybe it's forgetfulness, or maybe it's bravado, but my carnal nature more naturally does not ask for help. I have my devotions in the morning; perhaps I even think throughout the day about the passages I have read. And I pray for the needs of friends and members of my church and my family.

But do I ask for God's help with my daily needs in the classroom?

My needs are many. I need wisdom, patience, comfort, courage, endurance, encouragement, and love. My students need prayer. My coworkers need prayer. The families of students need prayer. Am I asking?

Recently, in two different situations, I have been challenged to pray for God's intervention in my classroom. The first was a miscommunication on my part, and I needed God's help to be humble and make it right. I enlisted the help of three or four prayer warrior friends and headed into the fray. I cannot explain why the other party responded so well. The conversation, I can truly say, went better than humanly possible.

The second was a teaching situation. Sometimes you as the teacher are not the only one presenting information, and other presenters can introduce a perspective that is counterproductive. Without being more specific, this was the type of situation that troubled me. Over the weekend, I prayed over the problem, asking God to take care of it without my having to "fight." Once again, He answered in a way that could only be God at work. The situation was neutralized.

I believe God is stronger than man, and that if I turn to him in faith-filled prayer, He will create good in my life. It's exciting to see how He answers each specific request. And when He does, let's remember to thank and praise Him for His goodness.

Praying for You -- Cast Your Cares -- 3 Premium Cards

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.