Jesus at the Door

I have shared this story with several schools during a devotion time but it bears repeating. It may help one of you one day. A couple years ago I was teaching a particularly difficult class and I had to remind myself often during the day to quiet my words and hold my frustration and anger. One thing that helped me during really stressful days was to visualize a parent at the door of my classroom. I knew that if Mom was watching, I would choose my words carefully and probably be more effective in my disciplining.

While talking to one of my more challenging students, it appeared that one of us needed to get under control and it wasn't going to be me! I'm not proud of the level of my voice or what I might have said but my young student had pushed my last button. Sometime during, "I know I have repeated these directions a hundred times," and "You owe me some recess time!" I turned to see his Mom standing in the doorway; watching.  I quietly walked over to her and began to defend my actions. I explained her son had disrupted the class all morning, had not followed directions, and yes, I had lost my temper. I was caught and there was no reason to deny what was happening. To my surprise, she walked toward me, reached out her arms, gave me a big hug, and said, "You go, Mrs. Quist. You do what you gotta do." The relief was overwhelming. I felt as if I had been redeemed and set free!

I pass this story on, not because I'm proud of my teaching techniques, but because picturing a parent at the door might be worth trying. I soon realized I couldn't always picture a Mom in the door that belonged to whomever I was talking to. So I began picturing Jesus at the door. If Jesus was watching me, how would I react? What words would I choose? Then I thought, if Jesus was at the door He probably wouldn't stay there. He would join me, right at my side. He would calm me, guide me, even give me words to use. What a wonderful thought! So put a parent at the door if you want to, but for real support and the strength you need, put Jesus there. What a help He would be!

Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored,
Barb