School has commenced!
In general, teaching can be a bit tiring. However, the first week always feels more exhausting. By the end of the day, I must fight to keep my eyes open and most days this week I’ve surrendered to a nap, at least for a little while.
The swirl of names and faces to remember can be fatigue inducing, but I am glad to be back. I am most looking forward to knowing my students. Getting to know them is nice, but having a relationship built is, in my opinion, better.
A couple of students from last year stopped by earlier in the week. It was refreshing to see familiar faces, to know how to joke with them, and to know a bit about them already. I enjoy seeing them in the hallway as they pass by, recalling random moments from last year as they walk into somebody else’s classroom. Building relationships takes work and time and while I know it is always worth it, I enjoy basking in the beauty of already formed relationships. (A while ago, I wrote about the beauty of “not-new” friends, and I think the mentality applies here, too.)
I am looking forward to seeing what these classes will become, how friendships will unfold, and how we will grow together as we experience things this year. Will the class that worries me be the one that proves the most difficult? Or will another surpass them in ridiculousness? Will we share joys and tragedies together? Will there be good and authentic classroom discussion? Will they trust me and will I trust them? Will we become saints together?
My seventh year is off and running and only the Lord knows what it will hold. Regardless what they do, I hope that the Lord pours into me the grace and desire to love them. And to continue to choose to love them even when it is difficult. By doing so, perhaps I can reveal a glimpse of the immutable love of God, wrapped as it must be in my very flawed humanity. Pray for me, pray for them, pray for us all!
Here on earth love proves itself by free choice. When a man loves, he chooses that which he prefers. Jesus wants to be chosen, to be preferred.
–I Believe in Love, Fr. Jean C.J. d’Elbee
**The smaller pictures in the cover photo are designs by my very talented friend, Cassie Pease. If you haven’t looked at it, check out her work!**
Seeking After His Heart 