Loved

Day 3

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

              Donte’ came to me with a reputation. When teachers from lower grade levels walked by and saw his name on my roster, they shook their heads and wished me luck. He was known for fighting, arguing, yelling, and anger outbursts. He missed more days than he attended due to suspensions the previous year. Even with all the warnings, I looked forward to meeting my new student. The kids with reputations challenged me to think outside the box and after having the class that administration called Adams’ Mafia the year before, I was ready.

              During the first week, I saw glimpses of the trouble Donte’ could cause, but I also saw a kid who had a huge personality. Most of my students tiptoed around him, giving him plenty of space. I gave him a seat at the back of my room where he could spread out and move as needed since being still was a huge burden. This child was quickly growing on me and I learned how to banter playfully but also have him respect my instructions.

              After a few weeks, Donte’ started giving me hugs as he arrived and left for the day and when he got angry or frustrated he allowed me to help him deescalate. When there was a holiday weekend or a half day I’d always tell him, “Remember not to do anything stupid, okay?” He’d always grin at me, then I followed up with, “And don’t forget I love you.” I told all my students that, but I knew he needed the extra reminder.

              Donte’ got in fights and was suspended from time to time throughout the year, but he told me he would never fight in my class because he respected me. He even broke up several other scuffles throughout the year in or around my classroom and I always heard him say, “We ain’t gonna do Mrs. Adams that way.” Donte’ had my back. And I had his.

              Fast forward ten years. I was driving through a neighborhood with my windows down when I heard someone yelling, “MRS. ADAMS!” In my rearview mirror I saw this tall man with long dreads running toward my car. “Mrs. Adams, wait.”

              I put the car in park, a little unsure but still curious. Just then, Donte’s unmistakable grin peeped into my car followed by his entire upper body. I met him with arms open wide and hugged him in return.

              “I’m a daddy!” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and showed the picture of his brand-new son. “I’m waiting on my ride. But he just got here!” His excitement evoked joy from a deep place.

              I held his hand in mine, “You make sure to be a good daddy to that boy.” I held his gaze longer than needed.

              “Oh I will. Believe me. I will.” We said our goodbyes and Donte’ ran off waving at me. Even after ten years, he knew I loved him and cared about his life.

Our classrooms are filled with Donte’s. Do they know they are loved? Cared for? Do they know that God loves them too? You might be the only Jesus they ever see.

Do the Heart Work

1.      Who is your Donte’? Does he or she know they are loved? Or do you find it easier to toss them aside or ignore them?

2.      How do we show love to kids who often seem unlovable?

3.      How has Jesus shown you love? How can you pass that love on to your students?

Digging Deeper            

Read these verses and think about what it means to be loved by God.

1.      No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)

2.      But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 (NLT)

3.      Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 (NLT)

4.      For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you. Isaiah 54:10 (NLT)

5.      See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! 1 John 3:1a (NLT)

God loves us more than we can understand. He calls us his children. Loved by God is part of our identity. Whether we can understand it or not, we cannot change the fact that he loves us in an incomprehensible way. He also instructs us in John 15:12 (NLT) “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” 

How has he shown love to you? How can we pass that love onto our students? Coworkers? Authorities?

If You Get Spare Time 

              1 Corinthians 13 is known as The Love Chapter. This section gives us an idea of what it means to show love to others. Verses 4-7 (NLT) say, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

              Put your name in the place where the word love is. Can these attributes be said of you in your daily interactions with your students?