Wow! What a crazy past few weeks! I have hardly had time to shower-let alone write! Report cards and the dreaded parent-teacher interviews are over! Well, I actually enjoy meeting the parents of the students in my class and putting a face to the name. It helps me understand the child in a deeper way once I have met their parents. For me, interviews are a way of connecting and building a relationship with them. We all have the same end goal-helping their child to reach their full potential. Don't get me wrong-some of the interviews can be uncomfortable-who really wants to hear that their precious child isn't perfect and that they do have areas to improve in? It's not always easy to be the deliverer of that news.
Truth, even when given with the greatest intention, can be hard to take. Their child isn't perfect and never will be. This is a shocking revelation for some! Guess what-I'm not perfect either, even though I strive for excellence! No one is perfect. God's word says that "All have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory." Straight A's is really an unrealistic goal. I wish I could give all my students a perfect report card. I actually care more about the content of their character rather than whether they get straight A's, but that's an entirely different topic....one that I won't delve into just yet.
I had a few kids tear up in class the other day when I gave my "report card" chat. I always tell them that I want them to do their best, and if they did their best and did not get the marks on their report card they were hoping for, that's okay. I reminded them that their value and worth as a person is not dependent on whether they get straight A's-this is the part that struck a chord deep down. I explained to them that we always want to do our best, but sometimes, even our best efforts do not produce the results we want. I pointed out that they are still valuable and special to me, regardless of their grades. I had a little girl come up to me after class and say "I can't believe you still like me even though I got N's (needs improvement) and S's (satisfactory) on my report card." I smiled at her and we hugged briefly, but inside my heart was breaking. It is so sad to think that some children grow up thinking that they have to earn love and affection.
When reflecting on the interviews I had this time around, I began to think about Christianity. It is really the only religion where we can come to God, in our broken, imperfect state. He doesn't expect us to be perfect and all cleaned up when we come to him. I know a lot of other religions require good works to get to heaven. The thought of "striving" to reach some sort of perfection, so I can be "good enough" to get to heaven is exhausting! I don't have the time or energy to earn my salvation. I am so thankful that I can come to God the way I am-faults and all (boy do I have a lot of them), and still receive the gift of salvation that He offers for free. Nothing is free these days! But, freedom from my sin and guilt is a gift I will gladly receive with open arms! My heavenly father loves and accepts me even if I "need improvement" and behave "satisfactorily" most of the time.
Oh boy, this just speaks so strongly to me. I often feel that on my spiritual report card that God is going to give me a "C" or even sometimes an "F". Thanks for the reminder that it's all about grace. Come to think of it, I'm desperate for His grace but don't always offer that grace to others as easily... especially my kids. There's such a need for a daily reminding, isn't there?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jolanna.
xo
Jolana wrote: "I can't believe you still like me even though I got N's (needs improvement) and S's (satisfactory) on my report card." I smiled at her and we hugged briefly, but inside my heart was breaking. It is so sad to think that some children grow up thinking that they have to earn love and affection."
ReplyDeleteI can relate to the feeling of having to earn love. An insecurity can root itself so deep in a person as a child, and stick with them through adulthood. Then, and even now, at 26, I still find myself trying to earn the respect, and admiration from others.
It's a process that tires me out emotionally and physically, to be frank. How do you overcome it? As of late, it's recognizing that these feelings go beyond my simple mind, that these are emotional, and personal attacks in my life from a power greater than I.
God has blessed me with a spouse that can see through the hurt, and knows how to keep me in check. Further to that, God has blessed me by pouring out His love over my life (as you also state). The friendships I am blessed to have become so much more meaningful and deep.
This was a great post Jolana. You, like Katie, have been given a tremendous blessing, responsibility, and opportunity by God to impact these children. An opportunity to mold them, and to build them up with lifelong memories, and lessons.
P.S. Excuse my grammar. I'm more a Chemistry nut, than a Grammar nut.