Teaching

I just renewed my OK teaching certificate for 5 more years ---

Let's see that makes expiration in 2022.  Hmmm when I do the math -- that's age 72--that's kind of scary -- but isn't 72 the new 62 as health experts say today.  'Not sure when I'll officially turn in my "badge".

It's in my blood -- my mom taught Sunday school for 35 years -- I watched her prepare lessons and hear her excitement as she recounted later that her2 & 3 yr. olds "got it" as she taught them.  (She was a big at hands-on learning before it's time)

When I was 8 - I took over the Sunday School class for a tardy teacher and afterward she proclaimed to my parents that I would someday be a TEACHER.

Mom and Dad always said -- "Get a teaching certificate so you'll have something to fall back on."  Teaching has joyfully filled my empty nest years and I love preparing lessons for children's bible classes.

Last Sunday our Adult Sunday School teacher was ill and Terry and I were to fill in.

It just so happened that I HAD done my homework and was really excited at all I was learning from the 3 chapters of 2 Peter.   We were to tag-team it -- and Terry said he'd finish out what I needed him to.

What thrilled me the most was the way God put it all together as I was teaching.  He promises us that HE will give us words to speak.  I experienced that last Sunday.  I was on a roll and used up all the teaching time -- sorry, Babe.

I love it when my daily high school lesson plan comes together and we end up with great discussions or I see the kids laughing and enjoying some activity that I plan - I only hope they get a glimmer of Jesus from me.

I want to be just like Jesus in that he made a point and drove it home with wonderful examples and connected to the hearts of His hearers.  He was full and overflowing.

I long to do that with my grandbabies (my favorite time is bedtime Bible stories) --

Sydney looked up at me the other night as we were reading and asked "Are those your words, Nana or are they the Bible Story?"

Campbell and Sydney will pick up their little New Testaments that they have up in their bedroom and "preach" saying a few holy words they remember and close out with their daily prayers.  The other day S went through her little dialogue and then tossed the Bible aside, saying "I read the whole thing and now I'm going to Heaven." What is it Jesus said about the faith of a little child?

Jesus didn't just speak then, He speaks now when we're quiet enough to hear those insights and impressions that He's giving us.

Several years ago, these words gave me confidence when I was preparing to teach a group of ladies.

The Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue,
So I know how to encourage tired people.
    He wakes me up in the morning, Wakes me up, opens my ears
    to listen as one ready to take orders.
The Master, God, opened my ears,
    and I didn’t go back to sleep,  I didn’t pull the covers back over my head.

Isaiah 50:4  

(the Message)