Recently, and rather inadvertently, I plunged headlong into a full-time job as a Teacher’s Assistant. I say inadvertently because I wasn’t looking for a job. You might recall in my September post: “Letting Go With Open Arms” that I was celebrating my son’s recent wedding and the milestone of completing many years of homeschooling.
I enjoyed three weeks of pure bliss. By that I mean, for the first time since I can remember, I woke up without any real “musts” or necessary routine. No school to begin, no rushing to activities, and, miracle of all miracles, an empty house by 8AM! Truly an introvert’s dream!
But then it all changed. A friend happened to mention that the school where she works was looking for a person to fill a Para-educator position. I thought, I could help out…just until they find a suitable person (while silencing the “don’t even think about its” from my daughter and close friends). But since listening to others’ logic isn’t at the top of my list of strengths, I gave it a second thought.
It wasn’t terrible timing. I had recently sent the manuscript for my novel to the publishing company, and assumed I had a few weeks before the edited version would be returned. And so, I found myself crafting a resume for the first time since my teen years. And shortly after that, I landed full-time in a kindergarden class.
The work is exhausting, rewarding, eye-opening, and, did I mention exhausting? I awoke the second day and wondered how I’d managed to let my dream-like days dissolve so quickly, and if perhaps I should have heeded the counsel from my obviously wiser daughter and friends. After all, I was supposed to be writing, painting, and de-cluttering. All that to say, I’ve put aside, for just a little longer, all those dreams and goals I’ve long-held onto, to serve little people and one big person – the teacher.
So now, for the past three weeks, my days consist of bending over to decipher the sometimes not so fully formed words projected from little mouths, wiping crumbs from little tables, pushing in little chairs, and helping little souls learn their ABC’s, 123’s, and how to spell their names, so that one day they will know much more than that.
I now have a collection of painted masterpieces taped on my chalkboard at home – precious gifts from these little people. I also have a collection of memories in my heart too. I hazard I won’t soon forget the smallest of them all, a little lad who frequently takes my hand and presses it to his cheek while waiting in line to wash his hands at the sink.
On just my second day, while assisting the student’s hand washing routine, one little girl peered up at me and asked, “Are you staying for always?” And the next day, the same question from another. My heart ached because I knew I couldn’t; that my days there were to be only temporary. I’ll do what I can for the short time I’m there, care for and encourage them, hopefully make a small difference, and then go on to the other purposes for which I’ve been made.
And that’s really the essence of it all, isn’t it? I mean, the essence of our one life. Our days here are only temporary; we’re just passing through. Time is short, and we do the best we can with the short time we’ve been given, care for and encourage others, hopefully make a small difference, and then go on to the other purpose for which we’ve been made: our forever life with God in heaven.
So I’ll make the most of it all: the time with these treasured little humans, and the time I have with the precious others God has tucked into my life – both of which are laden with opportunities to serve God with the resources He’s given to us. We’ve been gifted with life, and, perhaps like you, when my days are spent I hope to reach the end and hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
“Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.’
~ Matthew 25:40
“His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord.”
~ Matthew 25:23
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- How are you spending your days? Look for ways serve those around you either with a small act of kindness or a word of encouragement.
- Are there any adjustments you could make to serve God out of the riches and gifts He’s given you?
Melanie Stevenson 