Isn’t it wild how much we have in common? There are so many places where teachers and students can meet at a crossroads in experiences, even if used slightly differently. Teachers, we may need that cup of joe for grading 100 papers and students, you may need that caffiene for all-night homework completion, but we both still want that coffee! Find those shared things and create opportunities to build community!
When we demonstrate Christ-like hospitality by knowing their names, celebrating in their successes, graciously managing mistakes, and creating time and space for their humanness we have invited our students into a place of honor, safety, and comfort – ready to be challenged and excited to learn.
The gravel slowly became more washed out four wheeler trail than road. Out the driver window, you could reach out and touch a steep dirt wall and out the passenger side, you could look down the edge of a sharp drop off. At one point, the wheels of my 2002 Ford Mustang were turned towards the wall as we slid down a hill, trying to avoid the drop off.
I promise, you can do more in 6-days with God than you can do in 7-days without.
God used my hesitation. My jaw dropped as I read his response. I didn’t know about the meeting and I couldn’t seem to process the feelings of “wow, I really heard God speak” because only He can orchestrate those puzzle pieces into place in such perfect rhythm – even when I already conceding to messing it up by hesitating.
Between the four-hours in the car and time riding horses, I hoped my brain could wrestle loose the conflict between my head and my heart to figure out what the heck I was going to do.
If a student brings a dream to you, they already assume you care at some level about their future, hopes, and dreams. The moment a student will share a dream with you, give thanks! Tell them thank you for being willing to share a dream with you and how exciting it is to be a part of the story! Even if the dream is SO wild you could never see it happening, speak care first.