I'm Changing My Name: A Mother's Day Blog

   One day I walked into the classroom where I work (I'm an assistant preschool teacher) and the first thing I heard was "hi Miss Kat." The students call me that. Then I went over to say hi to the teacher I work with. Let's call her Amy. I started talking with her about the day and I heard, "Ms. Amy he took my toy." Amy took care of it. Then a minute later I heard, "Ms. Amy I am wearing a new dress." After Amy said, "that's very nice." I heard, "Ms. Amy I want snack." Amy looked at me and said, "I'm changing my name."
   Some of you may laugh at this story because it is funny. Others may laugh because you've been in the same situation. Yet, others may just think it's a pointless story. See, Amy and I work with 3-5 year olds. They need a lot of help to solve problems, do normal tasks, and learn about their world. And, we don't have only 1 or 2 of them in our class. We have 13-18 each day! I'm sure mothers understand the concept of wanting to change their name because of being called on to help so much.

   Sometimes people, mothers especially, may wonder why they do everything they do. Sometimes they may wonder is it worth it? Sometimes they may just think, "I never get any free time." Then they get a hug, a card, or someone says "thank you" and they realize that it's all worth it. Eventually that child is going to grow up and not need you as much. Be thankful for the time you have with that child in that season.
   This also applies to our Christian walk. Jesus never lost patience with us. When we ignore him for so long because things are going well, he still loves us. When we treat him like a genie and ask for all our wishes that we may or may not need he still loves us. When we walk away from him and sin he still loves us. He didn't make the choice to change his name. He chose to die on the cross so he could have a relationship with us.
   What's that mean for us? It means that we need to follow his example. Sure, there will probably be times where we want to change our names because of everything going on; but we need to keep trying to grow to be like Jesus. We need to try to have patience and show love to others like Jesus does.
   So, have you ever lost patience with someone? What could you do to try to be more patient with others? How can you grow in Christ today?

   Romans 12:12 and Galatians 6:9

   Image from here. 

Mother's Day: Becoming a Substitute Teacher

   I've recently began my career as a substitute teacher. As stated before, in past blogs, being a teacher isn't easy. It is long hours of going over lesson plans, being present in meetings, and being responsible for the future of our nation. 
   If being a teacher isn't difficult enough, being a substitute is just as difficult but in different ways. For example: substitutes come into a classroom they do not know, to teach content they may not know, with kids they do not know, and they are in a school they do not know. That's a lot of "I don't knows" and yet substitutes are still responsible for teaching these students.
   Many people think that substitutes are just baby sitters. But subs are required to teach the content the teacher would usually teach. On top of the fact that substitutes need to teach that content with a lot of unknowns, that's a major step out of a normal person's comfort zone.
   At this point you may be wondering what this has to do with mother’s day. Well substitutes are in a classroom for just a day and they are required to still get to know the students and care for them. Even if the substitute fails to teach any of the content that substitute still leaves an impact on the students. Children are like sponges. They soak up information and watch people to learn.
   When I walk in a classroom to be a substitute I'm not just teaching. I am also a role model, nurse, counselor, and mother to these students. Any person who has contact with children, even if it's indirect contact (ex. At the mall children are watching you), is teaching those children. Many children learn by watching others. It is important that we are good role models for those children. 
   We need to care about the children just as Jesus did. He knew that children have a faith and a wonder that adults sometimes lose. Adults may not be as influenced as children are. That is why it is important, even if you don't have children, to be a mother or father to the children around you. 
   I'm not saying you are to go against the will of the child's actual parents. What I am saying is that we need to be role models. We need to teach children to respect authority. We need to care enough about children to make sure they are okay if they scrape their knee, are being bullied, or are not making good decisions. Even the smallest gesture can make a big impact on the life of a child. Just think about how much it meant to the children in Matthew 19:13-15 that Jesus was willing to see them.
   So, are you willing to step outside your comfort zone and be a role model to children? Are you willing to go out of your way to do one small thing for a child? Will you follow Christ's example?

   Proverbs 27:17, Proverbs 22:6, Colossians 3:16, Matthew 28:19-20