you have to be ALL of these things…

October 27, 2007 by Joel Miller.

So, I’m self-actualizing again. (In other words, I’m learning a little bit more about how God wired me up). Yes, I know that sentence ended in a preposition, but get over it…it works better that way.

I get to spend about an hour a day with 100 teenagers. It’s got its ups and downs, to be sure. Most people that don’t teach think we’re crazy, and those of us that do know it’s true. But I get to spend an hour a day learning about the circumstances, background, culture and families that shape the lives of these kids. I get to see why some are on track to greatness, and others are on track to hard times. And it’s the craziest thing; several times a day I look at a kid and say “Wow, look at him/her go!” I see a destination and they are on-track. Some to becoming successful people. Some to a good college. Others toward emotional stability. Even some toward putting others before self. And, several times a day, I get to feel the “wow” of it all. (Not that I’ve had anything to do with their development to this point).

But, just as many times a day, I have to look into the eyes of a kid that has been beaten down by life. A kid that doesn’t believe they can. I see a kid that is hurt, shaken and torn by a world that can be downright cruel. Kids that have been abused, neglected, abandoned and patronized. And it breaks my heart. If you see teachers that are emotional, take into account the things they see everyday. We try to be thick-skinned, but we got into this because we love kids and want to make a difference.

I hear, quite often, that kids today don’t have any respect or values. That they need to be taught manners. Statements like these make my blood boil faster than anything you can possibly imagine. Because-while they contain underlying truth-these thoughts are stemmed from a pure ignorance of situation. Children do not need respect and values even nearly as much as they need to be respected and valued. Unfortunately, the parents and role models often choose themselves over what is best for their children. The kids are lied to, tolerated and demoralized. Then, when these kids come into contact with others, they are distrusting, resentful and disrespectful.

Please take the time to steer the kids you know and encounter in a direction that leads upward. You have to love them. You can’t just correct them any more than I can correct a kid’s math homework. You have to show them by your example, and let them know that you love them enough to care about what is best for them.

Our principal once said that he hears teachers say, “I’m here to be their teacher, not their parent, counselor, pastor, friend, role model and mentor.” Then, he said something that shook me to my core and made me realize why I wanted to do this so badly. He said, “I have news for you. YOU have to be ALL of those things to them, because THEY don’t have anybody else. More than anything else, I want you to care about your kids like they were your own. If you don’t care, you have no place being a teacher.” (paraphrase)

How incredibly true…

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

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