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Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International. |
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Thankful for Teachers
Let
the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one
another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit,
singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.1 Teachers are some of the most selfless,
giving, caring individuals in our world. Their goals and ambitions are in
seeing their students succeed in life and many of us have our teachers to thank
for where we are! Sometimes, however, the most moving
lessons are taught by students too… When Mrs. Klein told her first graders to
draw a picture of something for which they were thankful, she thought of how
little these children, who lived in a deteriorating neighborhood, actually had
to be thankful for. She knew that most of the class would draw pictures of
turkeys or their family members. That was what they believed was expected of
them. But Douglas’ picture surprised her. Douglas was very timid and likely to
be found in her shadow as they went outside for recess. Douglas' drawing was
simply this: a hand " but whose hand? The class was captivated by his image. “I
think it must be the hand of God that brings us food,” said one student. “A
farmer,” said another, “because they grow turkeys.” It looks more like a policeman, and they
protect us.” “I think,” said Lavinia,
who was always so serious, “That it is supposed to be all the hands that help
us, but Douglas could only draw one of them.” Mrs. Klein had almost forgotten Douglas
in her pleasure at finding the class so responsive. While the class worked on
another project, she bent over his desk and asked whose hand it was. Douglas
mumbled, “It’s yours, Teacher.” Mrs. Klein recalled the times that she
had taken Douglas by the hand; she often did that with the children, but never
realized that it would have meant so much to Douglas. Perhaps, she reflected,
this was her Thanksgiving, and everybody's Thanksgiving" not the material
things given unto us, but the small ways that we give something to others.2 Thank you to all the Teachers, in the classroom
and in the home, who give their kind smile and a comforting hand on a daily
basis. More than just educators, you are a lifeline to many. May God bless you.
Suggested Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for
those people you place in our path to show us kindness. Allow me the
opportunities to be your hands and touch someone's life in reflection of your
love. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Colossians 3:16 (NIV).
Story originally published
in Readers Digest, Oct. 2020. Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica
B. |
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