A Good Word Wednesday #61 TEACH
A little bit of goodness in your mailbox today 🍎🚸📘
Good Word of the Day: Teach
Last week, our Good Word was Purpose. It’s always good to confirm your life’s calling — what you should be doing and what you should NOT be doing.
Last week, Johnny and I sat in our granddaughters’ elementary school cafeteria to join them for lunch on Grandparents Day. We had a great time sharing tacos and pizza with Alex and Leah.
As we sat waiting for them to join us, I observed a teacher with kindergarten students, trying to get them to line up. I confirmed to myself, “That is NOT my calling.” The patient teacher was comforting a little sniffling five-year-old girl in the midst of a meltdown, “I want my mommy… I want my mommy… I want my….” The cries could be heard all the way down the hall. I can’t imagine herding little ones around every day, wiping snotty noses, keeping squirming boys and girls in their seats while teaching the alphabet. Nope. Not my calling. I would run screaming from the building every single day. I am profoundly thankful God has called and equipped so many people to be teachers. I know many who are. I’ve been taught by many good ones through my years. Grateful for them all.
In the Bible study group I facilitate in my church on Sunday mornings, I have several members who are school teachers. One extremely gifted teacher has stories to tell every week about her 20 first graders. This last week, she shared not a story, but a prayer request. “Please pray for my students. The majority of them have trauma-related issues to deal with.” It hurt my heart to think about these precious ones dealing with life-altering situations at such a tender age. But my heart was encouraged to know that Sharon is there every school day modeling how an adult should behave with children. She is there not just teaching the alphabet, but loving in a way that is Christlike.
I’m reminded that we are all teachers. I’m not in a public school setting, but I teach a Sunday Bible class. I write words that contain teachable content that you read. But mostly, I teach by the way I live my life with my family. Three little girls and two little boys will be looking to their Papa and Bebe for guidance and unconditional love. Right now they mostly need apple juice in their sippy cups or for Papa to push them on the swings. We know we teach as we pray with them, spend quality time with them, and encourage godly behaviors.
I remember when my kids were in grade school. (That has been quite a while ago now!) I enjoyed the minutes we had waiting in the car in the school parking lot, or on the way to baseball practice, or going to church events. It was in those moments, when they told me about their day. Or asked a question on their mind. Or about what happened on the playground with their friends. I became aware of the teachable moments God gave me to mold little minds. To train them up to know they were first children of God.
I’m keenly aware I messed up so many times. And I’m deeply grateful for a God who gives parents grace as we try to be worthy teachers. What teachable moments can you remember from your childhood or as a parent?
Wednesday in the Word
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.” John 13:13
Share Your Good Words
Good Questions of the Week: How are you a teacher in your everyday life? Who is looking to you for guidance? What about when you’ve taught your child about following God and yet they choose not to? How do you handle that issue as a parent?
Good Unseen People
Photo: She Is Safe
I remember growing up observing how my parents taught me about life by the way they lived. The following excerpt is from a story that will be included in my upcoming book, Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life with Your Neighbors and the Nations. Click the link below to see the progress of the book. This week, I experienced my own teachable moments after I received the first round of edits from my book editor. Please click the blue Unseen People book link below to see how God is teaching me through every phase of the publishing process. The update is #12 on that list of seeing how the book is being born.
It was 1966. I was six years old, living in the “big” city of Reid, Alabama. On that day, I remember going somewhere with my Daddy, who was the pastor of the Baptist church in that northern Alabama community. Wherever we went, it seemed it was either to the church or visiting with people. Sometimes those people were members of the church who just wanted to chat…sometimes they were people who were mourning the loss of a child in a car accident… All I really remember was that Daddy was a listener, that people seemed to be calmer around him and wanted him there. I remember going to places with my Daddy and seeing him do what he did best… minister to people.
Read the whole story: Going Places with my Daddy
Good Words I Recommend
A Good Blog: In case you missed it, I was honored to be the featured writer in last week’s gratitude series hosted by my writer-friend, Twyla Franz. Please read it here: Living the Good Life
A Good Podcast: My son picked up this idea of generosity in his Faithfully Engaged podcast this week. He teaches well about the importance of cultivating a lifestyle of gratitude. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EcXnVK-BsM&list=PLYufcxL6CSfZyAAnyFSDU8kKoWXP2VkKU
A Good Book: Teaching to Change Lives, by Howard Hendricks. One of the most effective and influential Christian teachers of this century reveals how all teachers -- from parents to Sunday school leaders, from pastors to professors -- can make the most of their priceless opportunity to inspire, to instruct, and to permanently impact lives for the kingdom of God.
Some of the links above are associate links. That means, when you click and purchase, I receive a small percentage of that sale. Those funds, as well as funds from paid subscribers, support my writing this piece each week. Thank you! I commit to forwarding a minimum of 10% to the amazing nonprofits: She Is Safe and The Red Cord. They help raise awareness of sex trafficking. They help prevent, rescue and restore victims to new life.
A Final Good Word
Of course, we know who the ultimate Good Teacher is. Jesus used stories, parables, proverbs and visuals to teach His followers. He taught as a 12-year-old boy in the temple. And as He walked together with His disciples. Thousands of years later, we are still profoundly changed by His teaching and we continue to learn more how we too can be teachers who offer challenges, compassion and good, life-changing words. What are some teaching methods Jesus used that most inspire you? What are some of your favorite stories He told?
I’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to share with me whatever is on your heart today. Please share:
Contact me privately: deannalynnsanders@gmail.com.
Thank you for taking your valuable time to read my words. And if you would, please share a good word with someone today. Invite others into our Good Word community.
Gratefully yours,
