This entry is long.  It begins with a victory one day and catastrophe the next.  You may not relate to my specific circumstance, as a kindergarten teacher with a very challenging class, but I hope to convey the joy and frustration of the two days.  The Lord was my unmovable rock during the storm in that final year of my career and by His grace, I survived!!

From the journal .  .  .  . May 2017

Can’t sleep.  Lord God.  You are my hope.  My comfort and my inspiration.  My salvation.  My steady rock.   Oh Lord, I love You and I depend on You.  I believe You spoke to me today and I believe You did yesterday.

It was another very frustrating time at school yesterday.  The children were not listening or following directions.  I must have spoken aloud something I have been praying in my heart repeatedly and continuously in my class.  “May God be glorified.”  It was cool because it reminded me of Your continuous presence.  At the end of the day, I saw a miracle I have told to several people.  We were getting ready to go home when Sabastian and Ezzy started in on one of their many conflicts.  I warned them of consequences.  I told Ezzy that if he provoked Sabastian, I wouldn’t protect him.  I also said, “Ezzy, what would your dad want you to do?”  He paused, then came and stood directly in front of Sabastian.  He said with no offense, “Sabastian,   I’m sorry. “ Sabastian looked at him, smiled, and said,  “Okay”.  They hugged.  It was magical!   Thank You, Lord.

Today, however they were back to fighting and got suspended. 

Later in the morning, Teresa went ballistic, socked one girl, and threw a boy to the ground.  I told her to go to the buddy room.  She said, “No, never!”   Before leaving, she kicked Mrs. E, the para, in the shin.  I had to get the office to come, and they took Mrs. E. out in a wheelchair.  Teresa was expelled until we could have a meeting with her mom.  My principal criticized my handling of it because Mrs. E. shouldn’t have gotten kicked.  After dismissal, I came back to the room very discouraged, as I have been several times this year.  But You, oh God, reminded me, almost audibly, that You had given me these particular children and I am the best for them.  So contrary to what others may think, I will believe YOU.  I confess, I have serious doubts that anyone else could do better.  God, I am grateful to be leaving but Jesus, it is a hard, hard, prospect to continue these next 31 days.   However, I look to You and I have hope.

Our prayer time this morning was so good.  There were six of us.  These are tough times for our school, and we are all so needy. Today we all cried as we prayed.

And I Believe God Said:

Remember that none of these things are a surprise to Me. I am here in the present.  These words are true.  All these people are of great value to Me.   I am delighted that you gather on Thursday mornings in My name.  It makes Me smile as you love each other, these children, and the staff.  Remember, the unseen things are seen by Me.  Those things you don’t understand are understood by Me.  You must trust Me for everything, especially the things you don’t understand.  Encourage Mrs. E.   Don’t forget her.

Psalm 139. Matthew 18:20. John 3:16

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

That was my last year of teaching and the most challenging.  It was a tough, tough, year for many of us there, including the new principal.   Our little prayer group continued to seek God and support each other.  That was a huge help!!!