OBSERVED
November 5, 2019
PRAYER: Lord, it is an awesome thought that You have called me to be an influence for You wherever I go. May I bring honor to Your name this day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Scripture: Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV
Somewhere between the bananas and the potatoes I heard the child’s voice, “Look, Mommy, it’s my music teacher!” Here in the supermarket, I often ran into students from school and their parents. They always seemed to react the same way, as though teachers lived in their classrooms and only ate cafeteria food. Once this child saw me, she continued a hide-and-seek game throughout the store. I’d round the corner in the canned goods aisle and there she would be. Or, she would pop up in the frozen food section, and again at checkout. She found it great fun to follow me and spy out everything I did.
I know that many teachers across the country believe that their private lives are strictly their own, and that when they are not “on the job” they are not accountable for their actions. I always felt, however, that God held me to a higher accountability. I was to always be an example of Christian virtue and love whether I was in the classroom or at the mall or wherever. If there was something I didn’t want my students observing, I probably shouldn’t have been doing it anyway.
We often forget what an impact our lives have on impressionable minds. We forget how much they really observe our actions and attitudes. We need to reflect on the example we present to our students, and understand that God gives us opportunities beyond the classroom to show His glory—even in the supermarket. Pray that your life will be consistent wherever your students observe you, and that God will be pleased to place you in a position to influence these young lives at all times.
Copyright Shirley Wilson. Email [email protected]