When Teachers Question God: Wilderness Times in the Believing Teacher's Life

"Moses and the Burning Bush" by James J. Tissot

We question God. It's natural. Men and women of faith have been questioning God since the beginning of time. Rather than discouraging questions, God welcomes them. He even responds.

From Moses's time in the wilderness (Exodus 3) comes a discussion with the Lord about needs and fears that are close to every believer's heart. During times of wandering, these needs and fears come to the forefront.

The Christian teacher may ask some of the same big questions that Moses wrestled with when he met with God at Horeb, the Mountain of God:

"Who am I?"

• Am I called to be a teacher?
• How can I juggle my career and all my other roles?
• Which role is most important?
• What do you want me to be when I grow up?

"Why are the people I care for being treated unjustly?"

• How can I stand up to bullying in my school--from students and adults?
• How can I show compassion to the downtrodden?
• How can I exercise my First Amendment rights and inspire others to do the same?

"Do you see me, Lord? Do you hear?"

• What do you see when you look at me, Lord?
• Do you remember my frailty?
• Why is it so hard to carve out devotional time in my day?
• Are you hearing my prayers? Nothing seems to change.
• I feel like no one listens to me. Are you listening?
• The world is darkening. How can I maintain hope?
• I'm hurting. How can I find your comfort?
• I'm burnt out. Where can I find rest?

"Why am I in this wilderness?"

• Is this the place you want me to be?
• My desires are not being satisfied. Why?
• What are you trying to teach me, Lord?
• Am I willing to listen?
• Am I willing to change?

"How long will this season last?"

• I get impatient. Will you give me a glimmer of hope to keep me going?
• Am I learning patience? Am I learning the other lessons I need to learn?
• Am I drawing close to you?
• Do I believe that you have something good in mind? Do I trust you?

"Where are you leading me?"

• Am I teaching at the right district? In the right grade level or subject area?
• Is it time to look for something different? Or to rest in you right here, right now?
• Is there an area of passion that you are calling me to explore?
• Do I trust you to lead me when I don't know the destination?
• Can I remember that your timing and your purpose may look different from my expectation?
• Do I trust that you are all-wise, all-powerful, and good?

Deserts of the Heart

Right now, many of these questions are settled in my mind, but I can vividly remember times when some of them blazed in front of my eyes every day, keeping me from being effective as a teacher, wife, and mother. Having wrestled with these questions, posed them to God, and learned His will for me, I am a happier, more blessed person for having been led through the wilderness. Yes, I still struggle in my calling at times. Yes, I still have days of confusion and questioning. But I remember the lessons from the desert, and they bring me peace.

Facing the wilderness?

Sometimes we need to ask the help of another Christian friend or two or three to steer us to a place where we can ask these questions. Sometimes God will steer us there directly, by removing responsibilities, by sending obstacles, by bringing us to a desperate place so we have to look to Him.

If you're there now in that desperate place, I hope you will run to the wilderness as Moses did. Allow yourself to thirst and hunger. Wait for God to meet you. Treasure His word. Ask your questions. Believe that it has a purpose.

For further reading:
Devotional Aids for Every Christian Teacher
Teaching As Calling
Exodus Chapter 3 (Bible Gateway)
Deserts of the Heart: Finding God During the Dry Times by Pamela Reeve

New Kindle eBook: The Swans of Starlight Lake

The Swans of Starlight Lake

When my daughter was very small, she began drawing ducks and swans, teaching herself to draw by constant practice. We had printer paper all over the house—drafts of swan necks and wings, nests, eggs, swans in flight, nesting swans, swans on water, frightened swans, and proud mother swans with newly-hatched eggs.

Today I feel like one of those proud mother swans. My daughter and I have self-published a fairy tale we wrote together—about swans, of course. The Swans of Starlight Lake began as a bedtime story, evolved into an ebook typed and illustrated for our own enjoyment, and now comes into its own as a Kindle edition.

With fairy-tale tradition entwined throughout, this new story by a mother-daughter team is a classic tale of adventure and love.

Readers ages 5-10 will wonder what's going to happen next as Muriel, Leo, and their mother set out to rescue two stolen swan eggs from a reclusive noble who hides beneath a feathered cape. The kids work together to thwart the guards and bring their treasure safely home to Starlight Lake.

The Swans of Starlight Lake contains several vintage, color illustrations and has a 14-point font for little eyes. Get it for Kindle for .99¢, or free with Kindle Unlimited.

If you read the story, please consider leaving a review on Amazon.com and using social media buttons to share. Thanks for helping our story reach a wider audience!

And the Winner Is. . .

Landlocked

It was lots of fun talking poetry with readers of the Overcoming With God blog last week! Carrie Fancett Pagels was so kind to invite me to guest post about my new poetry chapbook, Landlocked. The winner of the giveaway was Debbie M. —Congratulations, Debbie!

Want to get the book for yourself? For a limited time, save 20% when you purchase Landlocked from the CreateSpace store. Just use the code RMH99YW4 at checkout.

Coming soon, I'll be announcing a new Kindle Edition of a children's book project my daughter Reagan and I have just completed. For a sneak peek, visit my Web site, www.amyballard.com and click on the tab for The Swans of Starlight Lake.

Blessings on you this winter day, my sixth snow day this month.

Shoveling a Path Through the Snowdrifts for New Teachers

"The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." --II Timothy 2:2

Record snowfall, sub-zero temps, high winds. . .the perfect recipe for a snow day. My southern Idaho district has had a few of them this year--five, to be exact--and the weather forecast indicates prime conditions for another snow day tomorrow. Some of my fellow teachers are sick to death of snow. And it has been inconvenient. But then, I know a farmer who prays every year for just such an "inconvenient snow" to give moisture for the summer's crops. This year, she sure saw her prayers answered!

Yesterday, I uncharacteristically picked up a shovel and cleared a path through some three feet of snow (deeper in places where the wind had drifted it) to the woodshed. The experience reminded me how wimpy I really am (had to take a break half-way through, and by the time the path was clear, I was so tired I didn't know if I could survive the actual carrying-the-wood part). How much more grateful I am today for my wood fire because of the effort I went to to get it.

Now, my three kids can use the path I cleared. This morning they each brought me an armload of wood from the shed--something they would not have been able to do if I had continued to ignore the arduous chore of shoveling that path.

In teaching, sometimes, we need someone to clear a path for us, too. As a young teacher, I often found myself struggling with classroom management, organization, or maintaining student engagement. Teachers with far more experience offered a listening ear and the much-needed use of their tool-kits at the moment when I was most frustrated. God placed compassionate, skilled mentors in my life who had shoveled that path, clearing the way for me to find success in the classroom. I'm so grateful!

If you've been teaching for fewer than ten years, you probably don't feel like an "expert" yet. Maybe you never will, because teaching is a constantly changing world, and wise teachers know they must continue to learn and grow throughout their careers. But even with a few school years under your belt, you have the needed perspective to help someone newer than you.

In fact, you might already have put in the grunt work to clear one of these paths for new teachers:

• Identifying priorities in work and in life
• Aligning lessons to standards
• Lesson planning
• Creating effective plans for subs
• Communicating with parents
• Meeting the needs of diverse learners
• Implementing character education or other program
• Getting the most out of professional development
• Planning for efficient use of prep time
• Using formative assessments effectively
• Reflecting on successes and growth areas

You've been down that path. You had a tough time, and it was work. Real work. Now it's time to take on the role of a mentor and help someone else get through the same snowdrift.

What "snowdrifts" could you help another teacher through? What drifts do you need help shoveling? Share in the comments, then go get that shovel!


Image credit: The Graphics Fairy, a wonderful site for vintage clip art!