During our recent family trip to Durham, North Carolina, my girls and I ventured towards the hotel swimming area. The indoor pool was connected to the outdoor pool via a little tunnel for swimmers and a door and sidewalk for those like me. (I do swim, but with a head full of heavy dreadlocks, I just normally choose to keep my head above water.)
After a day of watching my kids' track and field competition in record breaking heat, this visit to the pool was most welcomed, but I still eyed it warily. As I cautiously tiptoed to the steps entering the indoor pool, my daughters boldly walked over to the edge of the deep end. When I stuck in my big toe and shuddered, my middle child saw me and yelled, "Grandma said, 'Just jump iiiiiiinnnnnnn!'" SPLASH! Uh-uh, no way girlfriend. Toe, feet, ankles, and calves for me... I just can't take the shock.
How we as educators choose to prepare for heading back to work for a new school year is much like entering a pool on a hot summer day. Some start with a flying jump having refused to look at anything educational during the summer while others choose to do the slow submersion technique, a purchase here, a purchase there with a visit in the classroom a few hours every so often to spread out their sanity. There's so much to do to get ready; room arranging and rearranging, decorating, planning, and trying not to spend all your money in Wal-Mart or on Teacher-Pay-Teacher.
Hmmm. Where should one start? What's the best technique- jump or one step at a time?
I got it!
Truthfully, as a child of God, prayer should always begin any assignment. (Boy, do educators need to pray!) Our assignment is very special in that its success directly ties into the success of the youth and families of our nation. Our assignment spreads out from the classroom into homes, communities and governments. It develops self awareness, confidence and ingenuity. Its success matures through the years and harvests its results in every sector of life.
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In order for us to reap these greatest rewards, we need Jesus for He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. So I am asking you to join me for the next forty days in prayer as I post a daily prayer from my book, Forty Days of Prayer for Education. Together we will pray for every aspect of our assignment and leave no stone uncovered. Please fill free to subscribe to receive a daily email, visit our page on Facebook, or download the my Google Drive link to access the e-book in a PDF.
Have a great school year.
The Lord is with you and you are loved,
Toni
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