Britt

Day 2, The Hard Ones

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. Proverbs 3:13-18 (ESV)

              Sarcastic. Spunky. Spirited. These described Britt perfectly. But if someone ever pushed her buttons, she had an angry streak that pushed her out of the corner fighting. I can’t count the number of times I talked her down or let her hide in my office and cool down because of interactions with her peers.

              As the school year progressed, her personality changed. Her spark was replaced with disengagement. Dark circles showed under her ten-year-old eyes. She constantly fell asleep in my class. And her grades plummeted.

              One Monday morning, she met me in the hall, dragging her bookbag behind her. “Mrs. Adams, those guys stayed outside my window all night long and I couldn’t get no sleep. Can I just take a nap in your office?”

              “What guys were outside?”

              “They was drug dealers, Mrs. Adams. We done moved to a new place and the basketball court is right outside my window. They be doing drugs and being loud all night long. I can’t get no sleep.”

              “Does this happen every night?”

              “Yes. But it’s worse on the weekends.”

              My heart ached for this little girl. “How about I find a mat and pillow to leave in my office and I’ll let you sleep until activity each day? Now, you still have to stay caught up on your assignments during the rest of the day, but do you think a little nap would help you?”

              “Are you for real?”

              I nodded.

              “Thank you, Mrs. Adams. I’ll stay caught up. I promise.” She gave me a hug and dragged her backpack into my office. I turned the light off and closed the door behind her.

              That morning while I greeted the rest of my students, my mind continually went to Britt. The things she knew at ten-years old broke my heart. The lack of safety opened my eyes to what many of my students could be facing when they got off the bus. I wanted to pick Britt up and take her home with me. Promise her safety and give her a place of rest. But I couldn’t.

              I decided to give Britt as much peace, safety, and love as possible while she was in my classroom. Her home life was out of my hands, but her school life could be completely different. Within a few days, that spunky fourth grader returned to my class. She lit up with joy and lavished us all with her silliness and jokes.

              As a teacher, we can’t change everything about the world our students live in, but we can love them well and show them we care. For Britt, it changed everything. Including me.

Do the Heart Work

1.      Who is a disengaged or sleepy student in your class?

2.      Who is a student who has suddenly shifted in personality or performance?

3.      How can you look past the symptoms and see the issues that are underneath this week?

Digging Deeper

              Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a.

              As you read, ask God to highlight the characteristics that are still lacking in your life. Ask God for wisdom in dealing with your Britts and to give you eyes to see beyond the surface.

If You Get Spare Time

              Memorize one or more of the following scriptures and ask God to bring them to mind in situations where you need his wisdom.

1.      Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

2.      But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 (ESV)

3.      Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)