God: The Greatest Teacher

This summer, I have worked with 3rd and 4th graders at day camp. And I’m going to be totally honest—it hasn’t been easy.

I am so grateful for my job and have been blessed to work at this job for the past 4 years. Who else do you know that gets paid to go to Disneyland (and Knott’s Berry Farm, waterparks, the USS IOWA, beach, aquariums, trampoline parks...etc.)? I am gaining experience that will help me as a teacher and I’ve been using what I’m learning in my summer independent study English course in my classroom. I also get to spend all day with kids who say the funniest things and are always able to put a smile on my face (see “Kids Say the Darnedest Things: Parts One and Two”).

Throughout this summer, God is good and continues to teach me more about His character and how good and constant He will forever be. The most valuable takeaway from this summer has happened when I am with my students; My 3rd and 4th graders give me a glimpse of what God sees when He looks at us. 

“One, two, three, eyes on me!” *silence* “One, two, three, eyes on me!!!” *more silence* “When I say hot, you say tamale,” “Hot!” “Tamale!” “HOT!” “TAMALE!” It takes time for my students to listen to my voice. Sometimes, I’ll have to try another method to get my students to quiet down before refocusing or moving to the next activity. My students enjoy what they are doing on their own and have a hard time when it comes to listening. As a lead staff, I created lesson plans and activities during the school year in preparation for this summer. These lesson plans have been thought through and connect with my Language Arts units and field trips. I have great lesson plans for the summer that involve snacks, movies, and crafts. The students don’t know my plans; each day is a surprise. The only requirement I have for them is to trust that I know what’s best for them and that together, we will have fun at camp with the plans that I have prepared.

It is in our nature to be selfish and to want things our way. We like to be in control and not listen to God or His truth. We want to be in control but we don’t realize that our plans are nothing in comparison to all that God has in store for us. — “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

When learning about adjectives, I recently asked my students to describe themselves in two words. I know that it had been a tough morning for my students when they use words like weird, strange, dumb, and stupid to describe themselves. It makes me sad when my students say things about themselves that I know aren’t true because I know when my students aren’t who I know them to be. Each student is so unique and special. I know the character of each student and what they are capable of.

As Christians, we can often forget that our identity should be rooted in Christ. We have been set free and have been gifted with life with Him forever. We are His beloved children who He loves even more than we can ever comprehend. It can be difficult for me to see myself as God sees me. Over the last few months, I have been learning that I must be who God has created me to be, because as a child of God, I am loved, unique, needed, worthy, made for so much more, and wonderfully made. — “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8; “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

“He pushed me out of the way when I was drinking water…” “She won’t leave us alone…” On average, 10+ situations of complaints and whining will happen each day at work. Helping kids work through their problems might be one of my favorite parts of my job. It is extremely important for me to hear each side of the story to understand what is making my students upset and to offer them a teacher’s perspective and advice.

I am reminded to go to God with prayer and petition. He wants us to come to Him in every situation because He knows what is going on in our lives. God wants to walk through situations with us and will guide us closer to Him. I must seek His advice first because He will always know better than I do. — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6; “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

We end each summer at day camp with a field trip to Disneyland. My students were already looking forward to this field trip on the first day of camp. This reminds me that at the end of our time here on earth, we will have the privilege of entering into something that we have been looking forward to our whole lives. Through our remaining years on earth, our God will be faithful in His love and guidance. How awesome is it going to be to enter God’s kingdom with our teacher who has been with us through it all?!