Friends

If you haven’t seen me much lately, I promise it isn’t you, it’s me. I’ve been “sheltering in place” in my classroom with a sign on the door that says, “We’re Zooming Now”.

To say this year has been a challenge would be a gross understatement. I would hazard to say it ranks among the top five as being the most stressful starts to a school year I’ve ever had. And I’ve been teaching over 30 years. So, yeah…

I knew I was in trouble when I saw the directions for our online professional development activities and thought for a minute, I was reading a foreign language. Nothing made sense to me.

Suffice it to say that it has been quite the challenge for me to learn all the technology necessary to become a virtual teacher. Programs, platforms, applications, and extensions; how and where to download, upload, create and post videos, take a screenshot of my computer, and use Smart cast are just some of the things I’ve had to learn. (Calgon! Take me away!)

I’ve shed a few tears, prayed (A – LOT!!), and walked miles trying to clear my head of this swirling whirlwind of new information, questions, doubts about whether I can do this, and that little good morning song from my daily calendar activity that’s been stuck there for weeks.

There is no way I could have made it through all of this without the fantastic and fabulous group of friends that God has placed in my life. Not to mention my wonderful family and Jesus himself. There is something to be said for having people in your life that understand what you’re going through, who you are as a person, will bring you chocolate, will pray for you, will listen with a sympathetic ear and even offer a shoulder if you need it. I am truly blessed!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Out of frustration of trying to learn so much in such a short amount of time, I decided to go somewhat “traditional” and make learning packets for my students to begin the school year. Since I am teaching multiple grades, I had to find material for the different grade levels. I had found things for everyone but my little kindergartner. It was getting late and I was struggling to come up with anything. I was tired and feeling exasperated when a teacher friend (who happens to be a special education kindergarten teacher) stopped by to see how things were going. Bless her heart! She was so brave. LOL! Anyway, I shared how the new computer software update had deleted all my bookmarked sites that I used for Kindergarten the year before and how I was desperately looking for something to print for my little one.

She smiled slyly and said, “Come to MY room.” She was like my fairy godmother. I wished 3 wishes and she granted them all! I literally felt a weight lifted from my shoulders and I melted into tears of gratitude as she handed me one folder after another of the very printables I needed.

I’m so thankful that she checked in on me and offered to listen and help, even though she was just as busy as I was. “Two are better than one.” “When they fall, the one will lift up his fellow.” Thank you for lifting me up!

Proverbs 27:9

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so [doth] the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

What would I do without my teacher and administrator friends? Some have taken this plunge with me into virtual teaching; others have offered to help however they can (even making a trip to bring me “chocolate therapy”); and still others have made the time to listen when I needed to vent.

And what would I do without my church friends? They have prayed for me, empathized with me, and checked in with me on a regular basis to see how I’m doing.

How sweet you all are!

John 15:12-15

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his LORD doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

My greatest friend is Jesus. Without Him, I couldn’t do anything! Trust me. I’ve tried it a time or two. I’m no good on my own. It is such an incredible reassurance to feel his presence in my life. I feel his strength as he holds me up and his peace when he calms me down. His hands guide me through this crazy maze called life and pulls me close to him when I feel overwhelmed. He covers me with himself when sinful darts are hurled at me and he shows grace and compassion in his forgiveness when I do wrong. He has blessed me beyond measure. And although I have done none of those things for him, HE still calls ME his friend! Not only me, but everyone who follows his commandments.

Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpens iron,

So one man sharpens another.

“THANK YOU” to everyone who has prayed for me, listened to me complain while on the verge of tears, sometimes the “woe is me” kind and sometimes the “angry” kind. Thank you to the ones who have shared sentiments and tokens of encouragement. And thank you to my husband and son for not abandoning me and for saying that, “Yes, sandwiches will be fine for supper, again.” It means so much!

You have not only helped me face this challenge you have also shown me what it feels like to be on the receiving end of your beautiful acts of kindness.

I pray that God blesses you all!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-29WLQ3trA