I recently opened an email and discovered encouragement. This encouragement came from a colleague. In a nutshell, my fellow teacher told me that he appreciated me and my work with our 1,156 students. I appreciated the words so much because they encouraged me. It truly brightened my day to see these words in the email: “I wanted to say that each week when I get to pick up my children from you, it makes me smile inside to see the joy you take in your job! I can see how important it is for you to make sure that our children are well prepared for their future…” He will never fully know the impact that these words had on me, but I will say that they encouraged me so much.
I work in a school where my colleagues provide amazing learning opportunities for our elementary students. I get to see all 50 teachers every eight school days when their students arrive in the Technology Lab. I love to connect with them and have a quick conversation as they drop off or pick up their students. Some days at school, somebody, whether a teacher, administrator, student or teacher assistant, needs to see a smile, hear an encouraging word and feel appreciated. Each us plays a part in encouraging each other. In my school, you see a culture of caring for students and for staff. When one hurts, we all hurt. Many babies have been born to our staff this year causing joy while surgery and car accidents have caused our staff to rally behind those affected. I am blessed to be a part of this incredible learning community.
Our words can truly build up or tear down. Last night, my oldest child gave me a bookmark which she had colored. She enjoys coloring Scripture on coloring pages and this one happened to be in bookmark form. Taking the time to color is quite relaxing and therapeutic to help release stress so I like when she does this. When I looked again at the words on this bookmark today, I was struck with their simplicity. They come from Proverbs 3:5 and say, “Trust in the LORD.” These words are ones that I cling to but to see them colored in green with flowers in blue and gold, they jumped off the bookmark and headed to my heart.
You see, words from people build us up, but so do words from the Bible. The reminder to trust in the LORD is powerful. I don’t know what the future holds, but I can trust God to be there. If my responsibilities as a wife, mom and teacher seem insurmountable some days, I have two options: trust in the LORD or not. I don’t trust Him when I don’t consult Him. He is my ever present help and gives wisdom, however, I must trust HIM. I trust Him to help me as I do things that matter.
I know that I need daily encouragement and have clung to another Scripture this past week for myself and my family which has helped me trust Him more:
Timothy 4:17 (NASB) “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.
I have prayed over my children this week that the Lord would stand with them and strengthen them as they navigated life. I prayed the words that God would stand with me and strengthen my husband and me. The words “Stood with me and strengthened me” resonated deep in my soul this week. God helped Apostle Paul and Paul told us what He did. I believe that through the Holy Spirit of God, my family will be strengthened and helped.
I have also prayed these words over a family who lost a father this week. I taught two of the children in this family who will always hold a special place in my heart. They need God to stand with them and strengthen them in the coming days now more than ever.
I wanted to share today that words from a colleague lifted my heart and words from God stood out to me this week. I am blessed that God has provided a job, a family and a hope that He will never leave me. I trust Him.
I love the words of the old hymn “Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus” and hope you will be encouraged as you listen to the words and song. “Oh for Grace, to trust Him more.”
