Every parent, at some point in the life of their child, usually sooner rather than later, will wish for two things. 1. An instruction manual and 2. An off switch. There are moments when my children do really dumb things, and as I go to discipline them, I am also frantically asking myself, What am I supposed to do? What do good parents do in a situation like this? Therein lies the need for a manual of some sort to point me in the right direction. Chapter 5, for instance, might be What to Do When Your Child Starts a Food Fight in the School Cafeteria with the Plastic Spoons and Mashed Potatoes and Peas.
And then there are moments when your children say or do things in public, such as, “Wow, Mom! These apples weigh four pounds. The scale only goes up to ten. Good thing you don’t get on it because I saw you get on the scales the other day, and you weigh…” In times such as this, you wish for an immediate off switch. No amount of scrunchy eyebrows or shushing will stop the offender quick enough.
Here is where I introduce my son Colin. He is the reason, God bless him, there are signs in public places that say, “Please don’t allow children to climb on walls.” He is constantly testing the laws of nature. And with this pushing-it-to-the-limit attitude, Colin often finds himself in trouble at school.
Last year, Colin had it rough. He continued to push the boundaries, and his teacher wasn’t amused. This teacher did not “click” with my son and tended to focus on the negative. I’ve been a teacher and I do know how frustrating a behavior problem can be. But I also know the importance of positive. When talking with parents, you should always sandwich a negative between two positives. This teacher never learned that bit of wisdom.
As the year progressed, my usually happy-go-lucky son stressed. He began the nervous habit of twisting his hair and pulled two bald spots. He hated school and began having break-downs, in which he would berate himself for being a bad child. No amount of my hugs or warm words of encouragement could counter what he faced for six hours at school each day.
Colin was broken apart piece-by-piece, day after day. And piece-by-piece, day after day, my shattered heart fell.
Summer came and with it, renewal. I began to pray for the teacher Colin would have the following school year. I knew fourth grade was hard, and we’d need someone strong. God, I’d pray, You know what Colin needs. Please send us a teacher that will see Colin through Your eyes. One that will love him for who he is.
This week, we received a call from Colin’s new teacher. Since Colin is my oldest, I knew nothing about any of the fourth grade teachers. But I have a church friend who teaches in Colin’s school. I just so happened to sit by her this morning. We chatted about school, and I asked, somewhat apprehensively, what she knew about my son’s teacher. She assured me that his teacher was kind and experienced. “I would like her for my own child,” she said.
Then, as we sang the offertory, she leaned over again. “She’s a clean slate kind of teacher,” my friend said with a smile.
I never expected to get so emotional. I guess I didn’t realized how much I had riding on it. But what she said washed over me, and I couldn’t stop the tears. A clean slate kind of teacher. With those words, God let me know that He was in charge. This year would be a fresh start. Relief made streams down my cheeks. I turned towards my husband to hide my face, when God spoke to my heart. If you are that relieved over a clean slate for your son’s new school year, think about how relieved you should be over the clean slate I provide for you.
I am just like Colin. I make bad choices sometimes and get caught up in me. But Christ wipes all that clean. He gives me a clean slate. The thought of a fresh start for both of us had me drawing slow steady breaths to inhale His goodness.
God, thank you today for a clean slate. Please be with my children as they start a new year of school. Give Alan and I the wisdom to best parent them. But most of all, help us point them to You. Amen.
P.S. And if you are reading this, sweet friend, thank you today for your words. God used you to put my fears at rest. You’ll never know how much that meant to me.
Wonderful! So thankful for clean slates. I know this is going to be a great year!
"And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will NEVER AGAIN remember their sins!" (Jeremiah 31:34)
Praise the Lord for "do-overs!"
GOD BLESS!
Sweet Kindred Carol,
This touched me this morning so much b/c we are in the same boat with our Kaitlyn Gracie…the spitfire blonde who is EXACTLY like her Momma!
We had a lighthearted family conversation yesterday about the new school year. They all had many questions as it'll be a new school system for all four kiddos.
Gracie is THE ONE who is like your son. She makes fabulous grades, but her attitude and need for hilarity often cause problems in the classroom. She had a poor experience with a teacher last year that left her one morning curled up on the floor crying and refusing to go back to 'that school'. Albeit, we had just transferred from an AMAZING school in a former town where she (they all were) undoubtedly seen through the eyes of our Great and Redemptive God.
So, my husband jokingly said as we talked yesterday, 'Gracie, Gracie…you're going to be soooo tempted to go the 'Dark Side' (and we all laughed) but…'
As Stacy used his analogy of Star Wars, we had a great time, but our concern remains as they all go to yet a new school again…
Pray for us, dear Friend! And thanks for your sincere and HOPEFUL words this morning!! I'll run with that!!
lv,
me
Oh girl, you know I'm praying for a 'clean slate' for my Graham as well . . . and I can SO relate to Carmen's comments on 'the dark side'–gonna have to use that analogy with my Star Wars loving boy! Your post is a HUGE encouragement for me–looking forward to a new start as well!
Amen..dont we need that post…wow..you write beautiful…love the words…such a hard grade 3rd was for us too….Amen..I already have seen Colin change into such a transformation…so nice Amen…renewal…we love our teacher too..only thru prayer….
pray for preschool for Daniel we get in..no movement…
Love you
3rd grade was also the same for Justin.It was rough on him and me and I was so thankful when it was over. Can't believe he is gonna be in 5th grade this year. Dallas starts high school…Lord help me. Cooper is gonna go to preschool. Praying for a wonderful year for you and your son and family. Don't you just love it that God can use anyone or anything to give us comfort? I love Him!!
Just now reading this, with tears.
Love how God speaks!
s.
Credere in Dio è un dono meraviglioso!
Complimenti x la tua familia e a te che sei un agrande donna di fede.
CIAO! from Italy