Consistency

Day 2, Safety

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

              When I was a kid, there were several small businesses that changed their signs each week based on what they were trying to sell. Every week, without fail, one of the businesses would misspell something on their signs. While that inconsistency became a consistency, so did the weekly phone call from my mom telling them they had misspelled words on their sign.

              My favorite sign was outside the hardware store. My mom picked up the phone later that day and told them they had spelled chrysanthemum incorrectly. First of all, who even knows when that word is spelled correctly in the first place? When we drove by the next day, the store was just selling mums. I was so tickled about their correction.

              Knowing my mom would let these stores know about misspellings was a constant in my life. A silly constant, but still a regular occurrence. I knew what to expect and so did the stores.

              Whether we know it or not, we need consistency. When we walk outside to get the mail, we expect it to be there. If the sky clouds up, we know to expect rain. When we place our key in the ignition, we expect the car to crank. Constants in our lives matter and offer us support and safety whether we realize it or not.

              The same is true in our classrooms. Knowing we will be there each day at a certain time touting a particular disposition provides safety to our students. Seeing the daily bell ringer on the board upon arrival helps the student ease into their day the same way every time. Having sharpened pencils, packs of crayons, and cups of markers make completing assignments easier. Consistent rules with fair consequences delivered to all students create confidence in the teacher’s leadership and authority. Regular rewards and encouragement when caught being good also help with this. Kids notice when teachers are consistent in their interactions and personhood. It matters to them.

              One other piece of the consistency puzzle is preparedness. Teachers who think through and plan detailed units cast a vision for where the class is heading. They generate excitement and set goals for the students to work toward. Something this simple can help students feel valued and safe in the classroom.

              One of the characteristics I love about God is his consistency. No matter how far I run or how much I mess up, he’s always there wooing me back to his heart. His love is unchanging and his words are always true. I feel safe with him because I never have to wonder about his love. He can never love me any more or any less than he does right now.

Do the Heart Work

1.      Why is consistency so important in the classroom?

2.      What are some consistent traits of the special people in your life that provide assurance to your relationship?

3.      How are consistency and safety connected?

Digging Deeper

1.      Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

2.      When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Daniel 6:10 (ESV)

3.      And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:4 (ESV)

4.      And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

5.      Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)

My pastor always says, Followers of Jesus follow Jesus. Consistency matters. Jesus is our constant rock and we can rest in the safety of his almighty arms. Just as Jesus comforts us through his consistency, we too must practice consistency. Steadiness is attractive and constancy is comforting. Let us live in such a way that we model Christ’s love and invite others to want to know him more.

If You Get Spare Time 

              Take a deep look at the people in your life. Who do you lean on when times get hard? Why? My guess is that there is a level of consistency there. Which teachers made the deepest impact? Why? Which relationships lasted the longest? Why?

              Now spend time in prayer thanking God for those consistent people in your life and ask God to help you become more consistent in any areas that might be lacking.