Teach and Reteach

It was nearing the end of a second full day of school for the twenty-one kindergarten students when the teacher asked the kids to put their heads down on their table and to get quiet before recess.  That's when we heard it loud and clear.  The sound of a forehead bumping the table and a quick loud "OW!"  We both turned to see a few students laying their head down on their crossed over arms but lots of quizzical faces without their heads down and one poor little five year old rubbing her forehead.  Without missing a beat the teacher said, "Oh, putting your head down on your table means doing this!" Then she quickly modeled how to do it.  I was able to stifle my giggle but not my smile throughout this entire episode.

This year I have a new job.  I am not a regular classroom teacher but am a paraeducator who goes from class to class to help students.  This past week was my first real amount of time working in the primary grades for many years.  It all came back to me very quickly, though!  For all you non-teachers or school workers out there, I'll let you in on a little secret.  There has been and will be LOTS of time spent over the next month teaching students expectations, procedures, rules and consequences.  And I mean A LOT!  You would be amazed at the number of things that seem so simple and that you take for granted that have to be taught over and over again.  Things like: how to hold a pair of scissors, getting in a line without smashing your friends' toes, drinking out of the water fountain, how to sharpen a pencil, when you can talk and when you can't, and my favorite: the difference between a story and question!  Now, here's another bit of amazing information!  Each year the students come back you have to start all over again!  Usually you have to reteach and then there's all the new stuff to add.  Oh, and then there's all the real stuff you are supposed to teach them!  

So while all you non-educators out there are letting that sink in and all you educators are nodding your heads in agreement while chuckling, let me get on to the thought I had today about all this teaching and reteaching.  I wonder if God ever looks at us and thinks "Really?!  I have to teach you that lesson again?  Aren't we past that?  Do we have to go down that road again?"  Let's face it.  All of us have those issues that we need to work on, are working on and will probably still be learning about in the future.  One great thing is God is a patient teacher.  But just like in school you have to be willing to be an active learner.  The Bible is filled with stories of people that had struggles just like you and me.  When we read or hear those stories and think about them we are given examples of how we can handle situations better, overcome addictions, work through problems in relationships, and tackle many other problems that we all face in life.  But being an active learner means that you have to pick up the book and actually read it!  And don't tell me that you don't have time in your life.  I have used that excuse too many times in my life and have discovered that it is a lie.  Stop enrolling your kids in every activity, shut off the television reality show, forget Facebook, make sandwiches for dinner, stop Pinning every quotation that speaks to your heart and spend some time learning from the Savior.  It will make a huge difference in your life. If you are thirsting for help in the struggles of  life think about these words.
     "Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; hear you earth; the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants."     Deuteronomy 32:1-2

The other thing that is so great about our God is that he is willing to give us those second and beyond chances.  When we are learning, he is like the kindergarten teacher, who calmly modeled for the kids and allowed them to try again.  In dealing with the issues of life all of us fall short.  In our humanity we sin.  But our God is the God of Second Chances.  If we turn away from that sin he forgives us.  But we have to be willing to turn away.
     "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."   
1 John 1:8-9
         
The reason God is able to do this is because his love for us is special.  It is known as agape love.  This kind of love is unconditional or sacrificial in nature. The Psalms are filled with references to this type of love God has for us.  For example, read this description.
     The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above earth, so great is his love for those who fear him, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."  Psalm 103:7-12     

God's love for us has no bounds!  Whatever mistakes we make and no matter how great they may seem to us, he will always be there.  He will not turn away from you as he chooses to teach and reteach you what you need to learn for your life.  Be an active learner and grasp on to what he is giving out.  You won't ever regret that you did!