My Favorite Student

In walks student “A” already distraught and worked up from whatever happened at home or on the way to school. Tears flowing and unable to even tell me what’s going on. In the meantime I’m thinking, “I need to prepare all PowerPoints for the day, take attendance, monitor breakfast in the classroom… oh did I remember to email _____ back? Why is my classroom phone ringing at 7:45am? Oh you need help with your morning math challenge because you want to win the prize? I don’t have time.”

In walks student “B”. Oh Lord. No medicine today. I can already tell. Mean looks, mean words… just too many words. STOP. Bouncing off the walls. A million things out on his desk. STOP. Please STOP.

In walks student “C”. But I didn’t notice. This student blends in. Compliant, quiet, insecure.

Then the guilt floods in. Why did I just notice student “C”. I marked her absent, but she’s actually here. Did I even look her in the eyes and say “Good Morning”? How hard is that? Why didn’t I notice? I’m the worst teacher ever.

Student “A”… what do I do? I don’t have time to sit there and wait for her to tell me what’s going on. Think on my feet… “Can you write down what’s bothering you? Then I’ll write you a note back!” Good. That one’s taken care of. (Thank God she knows how to write! Yay for teaching 2^nd grade!)

Student “B”…what do I do? Pencils. Of course. “Hey sweetheart, please sharpen ALL of the pencils.” Perfect. Now that one’s taken care of.

Student “C”… what do I do? Walk over, squat down and look her in the eyes. “I am SO glad you’re at school today! Our class wouldn’t be complete without you.”

Now it’s 7:55 and only 10 minutes of the day has gone by. Only 6 hours and 50 minutes left. Oh, and 18 other students with their own unique personalities and needs. I’ll spare you the details of students D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U.

Why are people crazy enough to do this job? I’m actually not sure. But for whatever reason, I do it and somehow I love it.

Today while driving one of my students to the Community Center after tutoring she asked me if she was my favorite student. Of course I explained how each and every one of my students is unique and it would be impossible to choose a favorite. “We need everyone to make our class awesome!”

It got me thinking about how we should treat the people around us. What would the world be like if we treated everyone like they are our favorite? Can you imagine going into the grocery store and having an employee notice you and make you feel like you are the only customer in the entire store? What about when you’re with your family? What if your mom, dad, brother or sister paid such careful attention to you, making you feel like the favorite?

Whether all these thoughts make sense together or not, I’m not sure. What I do know is that there sure are a lot of things that make us feel stressed and overwhelmed each day. Regardless of that, the most important thing is the people we are around. Not the to-do list, not the cleaning, not the errands. Not all those things running through your head constantly.

The people. The people are the most important.

Who are your people? Mine are 21 eight-year-olds for the majority of my week. 

Think about who your people are. 

(Then let go of all the things you didn’t accomplish today and let tomorrow be a new day. A fresh start. Another day to know and be known by the people around you.)

Resisting

Resisting

For my whole life people would always say to me how good I was with kids. They were convinced I’d marry and have children young.  That is, of course, what girls in the South are supposed to do. I had created this vision of my future: Meet my husband junior year of college, get engaged senior year, get married right after graduation, be married for a 1 year, then have baby #1, two years later baby #2… etc. So by the time I was 30 I would have 4 kids. Just in time to adopt #5 in my early 30s. Oh and my husband would be wealthy enough for me to be a stay-at-home mom. College would be a time-filler for me until my real life as a stay-at-home mom began. Said plan of course, did not exactly play out like that…

For as long as I can remember, I volunteered in the nursery at church. Then, when I was 11 years old, my mom found out she was pregnant with my sweet baby brother! I became the “built in babysitter”, which I loved. As my friends played with baby dolls, I played with a real live baby! I loved babies, and was strangely good with them, and really all kids.

I also loved to make my own money. Independence was something I prided myself off of. Partially because I am gifted in the area of responsibility, partly because I was self-protecting because of abuse I had encountered for years (rest of that story for another time). My means of making money was babysitting. I watched basically anyone and everyone’s kids. Little did I know, I was gaining invaluable knowledge about how kids work.

I went through high school doing two main things: hanging out with my friends and watching other people’s kids. However, if someone ever told me I should be a teacher, I quickly rejected that suggestion. Why? Because teachers don’t make any money! Plus, what a cliché occupation for a white girl who was never really good at anything else- no sports, no arts, nothing… just kids. I attempted to pursue becoming a doctor- I wanted to be an OBGYN. I watched the Discovery Health Channel and was enthralled by childbirth. However, I had two big problems: 1. I was terrible at math and science. 2. I hated the idea of being in school until I was 30, because like I mentioned earlier, that didn’t quite fit into my timeline- so having my own kids would have to suffice.

What was I supposed to do? As college neared, I had no idea what I was going to study. It’s funny and sad how great the pressure is for a 16 or 17 year old to choose what they want to do for the REST OF THEIR LIFE. I applied to a state university because I had friends going there. I got accepted. But I had one problem, one thing holding me back- a boy. And yes, he should be called a boy, not man, for we were only 17 and far too young to try to align our lives with each others. But I was convinced he would be my husband. At the time I would have never admitted that the reason I stayed in Nashville was for him. It’s funny that sometimes you look back and realize the humor in it all. God had to use something I would pay attention to to get me to follow his leading, because Lord knows, I wouldn’t have stayed for any other reason.

So, Community College it would be. I had friends going there, so that part was okay with me. And, said boy was also attending the school. It was definitely fun. The classes weren’t very hard. I was able to nanny for a family, go to school and keep up an avid social life.

But that couldn’t, and wouldn’t, last forever, and deep down I knew it! I wouldn't be able to resist the call for much longer. 

Happy first day... of a different season!

Today is the first day of school for most students in Tennessee. For the past 3 years I nervously arrived at school early to make sure everything was ready for my new little ones. Everything from morning work and crayons on their desks, parent information cards and packets ready to hand out, and the perfect book to read to break the ice. (“First Day Jitters” is the best!) Oh, and Play-Doh! I made it my tradition to let the kids play with Play-Doh in the morning as I frantically tried to meet the parents and get them to fill out contact info… which became VERY necessary to have throughout the year. Can I get an “amen” from all my teacher friends? 

Nothing is quite like day one. It is probably the quietest day of school in the whole year. I learned after my first year of teaching to appreciate the uniqueness of the first day. Everything changes from that day on. Those kids, who start off as awkward strangers, become the most precious, loved and talked about people in my life. I always wonder how I’m going to love another group of kids. For the first month or so, all I do is compare them to my previous class. It always amazes me when all of the sudden my conversations with friends shift from “how am I going to love this class?” to “oh how I love _______, listen to what happened at school today!”

Without fail, my heart grows. My love increases. The new group become “my kids”, just as the previous class did, and the one before that too. 

Today, there is a huge void in my heart. It's not the first day of school for me. It's the first day of a different season. It takes seasons like this to bring perspective and to realize exactly what God has wired me for. I eagerly await the first day of grad classes for ME at Vanderbilt. My “kids” are my motivation and bringing Glory to God is my purpose. As I step out in faith into what has proven to be one of the hardest seasons of my life, I think about those little faces and future faces of all the kids that will one day be “my kids” and I run the race with perseverance! I’m asking the Lord to “surprise me” as I lean into the discomfort of change and fear of the unknown. 

When Things Get Hard

“This is hard!” As a teacher, these words are music to my ears! “YES!” I say,  “Yes it is hard!!! It’s supposed to be hard." My only regret is that they didn’t start saying this sooner! Some put their heads down on my table and tears start coming out of their eyes. I hand them a Kleenex and ask them what they are going to do about it! If you know me, you know I’m not making this up. As young as my kids are, I have them decide right away, on their own, what they are going to choose. I say, “Go ahead and give up and head back to your desk... OR stay here and allow me to teach you. That’s my job. That’s why I’m here! My job is to keep on teaching until you get it!” 

“Are you going to try? Or are you going to give up?”

I can’t help but think about this in the context of our own lives. 

Our biggest victories happen when things are hard. But only if we don’t give up. Stay near to the Teacher and allow Him to do His job.

Psalm 145:18

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

Hebrews 10:22

“Let us draw near to God with sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings...”

2 Corinthians 12:9

“...My power is made perfect in weakness.”

Even When There Is No Hope

My dad suggested that I write another post. He asked me if there was anything going on with my kids. I responded “there’s always stuff going on with my kids!”

This year I definitely struggle to sit down and write about what’s going on in my school and with my kids. Partially because I’m pretty exhausted by the end of the day. I already spend time with my kids, think about my kids, and almost every night, dream about them too. And partially because I struggle to believe that people out there want to know what’s going on with them. 

One of my greatest internal battles this year is to believe that there is hope for the Napier community. Yup. I said it. I’ve been discouraged and hit with the stark reality that the journey I’m embarking on is nearly impossible. Think about how hopeless a 4x4 block of apartments with concrete floors and no a/c or heat is? Although originally the idea of “projects” was in an effort to help people, what it seems to have become now is a place to contain them. And within the Napier projects, is one of the most drug and crime infested communities in our city. Can you imagine what it’s like to live there? To be a 6 year old who just wants to go play outside, but cannot because people are “shooting from up top”. 

Just last week alone, my school was put on 3 different lock-downs because of various crime outbreaks in the neighborhood. (The negative effects of living somewhere like this on a child's performance in school are great. I will write about that another time.) 

Yet, within my struggle, God seems to be orchestrating the details of my life. He seems to be preparing and equipping me with all I need for whatever it is I am accomplishing and will accomplish. In the last few months, I’ve been reading a book about faith and revisiting stories in the Bible about “heroes of the faith”, I’ve been struck by the situations these people were in. If only I had time to sit down with each of you to discuss them all over a cup of coffee....

Anyway, Romans 4:18 in the New Living Translation says “Even when there was no hope, Abraham kept hoping- believing that he would become the father of many nations.”

Abraham was in a hopeless situation, yet still believed. (Read Genesis 15-22 for yourself.) He clung to the promise God had given him and believed that God was faithful and trustworthy. Read the story for yourself to see how it ended! :)

As I approach the end of year 2 of teaching, I strive to have Abraham's same faith. I sit here with eager expectation for God to change my heart, giving me hope against all hope.

Ultimate hallway rebellion and Psalm 103

Majority of my class came in this morning in a bad mood. I could sense it from the time the first few walked in the door. I thought to myself that this was going to be quite the day. 7:45am is EARLY... and VERY far away from 3:45pm (dismissal). 

Tantrum after tantrum. Fit after fit. Rude words. Tears. Pushing. Feet stomping. Arms crossed. Eyes rolled. That’s the kind of day my kids had. One student told me she doesn’t like 1st grade anymore and doesn’t like being in my class. She went on and on for about an hour telling me how she wanted to be back in Kindergarten. Apparently Kindergarten is fun and 1st grade is not!

Another student, “K”, had a very tough day too. She didn’t want to do anything I asked her to do. In fact, she did the opposite. I spent most of the morning ignoring her behavior. For some reason I wasn’t that frustrated. I spoke kindly and encouraged her to “make better choices”. It didn’t really work, but I’m glad I didn’t flip out. 

I need to explain hallway procedures at my school. The students are to walk without talking, hands behind their backs and make frequent stops at posted “stop” signs. They are not to touch the walls- ever. So, of course, when one of my lovely children is mad at me, they walk down the hallway, sliding their entire body across the wall. It’s the ultimate form of hallway rebellion. 

K was mad and showed me by doing this. But today I chose a different tactic. I walked beside her in the hall, softly rubbed her back and kept my hand on her shoulder. I couldn’t stop thinking about Psalm 103:8-10.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.

Today, K needed me to be compassionate. And God needed me to show her the kind of grace that He shows me every single day. I found her beside me time after time today hugging my leg and kissing my cheeks. For whatever reason, she had a rough day and had trouble obeying, but what she needed most was to know that I unconditionally loved her. 

Isn’t that what we all want? Unconditional love, forgiveness, grace and compassion. I pray that I can continue to reflect the character of God to my students. I also pray that you are reminded of His great and abounding love for you too. 

First year Finished!

So now it’s summer. My first year of teaching is complete. I originally planned on writing a post right after school ended, but I think I was just so tired that it took me two weeks!

I understand now how people teach for like 30+ years. Each day brings with it something new/exciting/challenging. Although I spent, on average, 10 hours a day at school, it felt like no time at all. Days flew by! Every day was something new- and look now, my first year is finished! I wonder if I will feel this same way in 10 or so years?!

I spent the first 2 months in survival mode. The next 2, persevering through frustration. The winter months I had to cram a bunch of academics because of how little I taught the first 4 months. By the time it was spring, I caught myself having tons of sentimental moments because I realized how quickly I was going to have to say goodbye to my kids. By spring, I finally felt like I figured this whole teaching thing out… at least enough to maintain classroom management, teach all the standards and have a little bit of fun while doing it.

One of the things I realized this year was that no matter how challenging a situation is, if you are walking in God’s will, there will be His grace to sustain you. My parents have taught me that the most important thing in life is to follow the call of God. In doing so, comes the most rich of experiences and eternal rewards. The second part is the hard part because your present circumstances don’t always reap immediate rewards. But I’m learning that that is okay.

I pray that in this past year I was able to impact the lives of the students that were in my class. My heart’s desire is that I was able to show my kids the love of Jesus. I tied shoes, opened milk containers, wiped noses, held hands, gave hugs, encouraged, scolded, drove home… and taught.

My encouragement to you is not to be an inner city teacher- unless that’s what God has called you to- but rather, to ask God what it is that He would have you do, and whatever that is, follow the call.

*Have you heard about my parent’s next adventure? Watch the video below! 

* Also, a big thanks to everyone who helped me through this year. My family, my friends, my Harpeth Hills life group and more.

7 Weeks

It's so weird to think that I'm almost finished with my first year of teaching. There are only 7 weeks left in the school year. Parts of me remember week 7 of school like it was yesterday, then again, it also feels like forever ago. So much has happened this year. I definitely think I've learned just as much, or more, than my students. (Sorry kids, a bunch of the things I tried this year were at your expense :) )

For the first few months of school I would drive home almost in tears (or in tears). My head was pounding from being frustrated and from raising my voice. I felt like a crappy teacher. I didn't know very many teaching strategies. People around school would mention all these acronyms and other terminology and I felt clueless. I felt like somehow I missed an entire very important semester of college. I would have internal battles because I knew this was what God made me to do, but I just wondered why I was so ill-prepared for the job.

There wasn't a specific moment that things changed. I didn't wake up one day and go to the perfect class. No, unfortunately nothing magical like that. But through much consistency and determination, things began to get better.

It's Spring Break this week and I've been reflecting on this year. Here are a few things I've learned and decided.

My classroom will always be a safe place where any student is welcome. I've had kids come and go. In the middle of the day I've had new students arrive at my classroom without any notice to me. I've set the culture in my room to be welcoming (despite how inconvenient it is to get new students). Now when we get new students, my other students are so excited and act like we're getting a new family member!

Don't keep doing things that don't work. This is very hard. I've put time into lessons and activities and when I actually go to teach them, they flop. The temptation is to push through the lesson, but I've learned to stop and try something new!

I've realized the importance to think before I speak. I know this is something parents teach their kids when they are in elementary school, but it still applies when you're a 23 year old. Things happen all throughout the day that require quick decisions and reactions. I've learned though, that my words are powerful. My students don't forget ANYTHING I say, and I'm one of the only positive influences in their lives. Boy, the pressure is on for me to be an exemplary model of unconditional love, self-control, acceptance.

I celebrate small victories, take photos like I'm a first time momma and allow time for hugs and cuddles. I share my life with my students and in turn they feel comfortable sharing theirs with me.

Here's to another 7 weeks! Praying that I say and do all the things God wants me to before I say goodbye to my babies on May 24!

I Have a Dream

 Last week I took the opportunity to focus on the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with my students. We started the week by reading about heroes in our Social Studies book. What makes someone a hero? A day after reading I asked my kids to recall things they remembered from the previous day’s reading. To my surprise, they remembered so much. “A hero is brave.” “A hero is honest.” “A hero is kind.” “A hero helps people.” And my personal favorite: “A hero NEVER GIVES UP!”

Their small little minds could hardly believe that white and black kids weren’t allowed to go to school together, or drink from the same water fountain. They said “So Ms. Thomson! You wouldn’t have been allowed to be our teacher because you’re white!”

We read lots of books about Dr. King. My favorite from the week was:

I told the kids that Dr. King made a very famous speech in front of thousands of people! 

 We talked about how Dr. King had a dream that people would be treated fairly and not judged by what they looked like. They LOVED the picture of Dr. King and that huge “tower” (aka the Washington Monument!)

My sweet mentor at school gave me a craft idea where the students make an “I Have a Dream” mobile. I told the kids that Dr. King saw that things weren’t fair in the world and that he spent his life fighting for people to be treated fairly. I asked them what their dream was for their community. I asked if there were things in their neighborhood that aren’t fair or that they wished would change. 

I couldn’t believe their responses (they are 6 and 7 years old.)

“My neighborhood isn’t safe. I wish it was safe.”

“There are people that shoot guns every night when I go to sleep.”

“A lot of people get raped around here.”

“I know people that do drugs. I know someone that puts drugs in needles and shoots it in their arms.”

“My daddy gets high upstairs and I can’t go up there.”

“I wish people didn’t get robbed.”

“I wish people didn’t smoke drugs.”

I held back the tears as they told me all the scary things that happen in their neighborhood. They were dreaming and wishing that those things didn’t happen.

Dr. King had a dream and so do I. I sat there listening to my kids and I was reminded about my dream. Sometimes it’s so hard to remember why I am doing what I do. I so easily get caught up in the little things like testing, planning and meetings… that I forget why I am teaching. Why this 22 year old white girl goes into a scary neighborhood and spends 40 hours a week with 15 1^st graders.

Thank you Dr. King for reminding me to be brave, honest and kind. To help people. And most importantly, to never give up.

Isaiah 61:1-4

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,^{[a] 2} to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, ³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy
instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness,  a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

My Classroom is a Furnace

I'm thankful today.

I was trying to teach my kids to verbalize what they are thankful for. We made a list.

After we talked about what being thankful means, they asked me what I was thankful for. I told them that this year I am MOST thankful for each of them. I went on and on about all the things I love about them and why I am happy they are in my life. They were grinning from ear to ear!

Here are a few things my kids have taught me this year:

I am not as kind, gracious or compassionate as I thought I was. 

It's hard to be loving at ALL times. 

I'm not good at giving people a clean slate each day.

It's okay when things don't go according to plan. 


I need to be willing to forgive my kids for their shortcomings, even when they will repeat the offense daily. 

It's important to take time to explain and teach things that aren't part of the curriculum- like about kindness, sharing, forgiving. 


Sometimes I have to be willing to stop what I'm doing to hold and love on my kids when they are upset.


In the Bible, the process of refining metals in fire is used as a metaphor for spiritual purification. For the past few months I've felt like I've been in a furnace. I feel like everything evil in me is being brought to the surface. Being in a room with very needy, troubled 6 years olds eight hours a day, five days a week really has the power to bring out the worst in you. What's most amazing is that I am so grateful for this process. As I teach my kids, I am learning equally as much. That is why i am thankful today. That God loves me enough to refine me and to use me to impact my 13.

BUT

In first grade the kids have to learn 220 sight words. They are high frequency words that are typically hard to sound out. Hence the name "sight words". They pretty much have to memorize most of them. There are 11 lists of 20 words. Most of my kids have been zipping through the words! I can't even believe how much they are learning! They are SPONGES.

But not Lil Vic. He barely knows his letters and sounds. I have been so burdened for this child for weeks. I lay in bed at night and think about how I'm going to teach him to read. I come up with clever ideas (usually when I'm trying to fall asleep at night) and then I try them out the next day. It is very draining. If this child doesn't learn to read this year his chances for success in the future are slim to none. There is very little support from anyone in my school as far as getting him specialized help. It is my RESPONSIBILITY to teach him.

For most of my kids I want them to learn a list of the 20 words in about 2-3 weeks. I realized this goal is too lofty for Lil V. His new goal is 1-2 WORDS per week.

AND BOY DID WE MEET THIS GOAL! Today, without help, he was able to use letter tiles to make the word "but". I nearly jumped out of my seat when he did it! He felt so proud and I praised him like crazy. To top it off, he completed a worksheet where he had to look at 12 different pictures and choose which letter was the beginning sound for each one. He got every one correct! Right in from of him I wrote a big "100" and he then walked around the room and showed his classmates! He was so proud of himself and my other kids praised his good work! It was a proud teacher moment for sure.

Today was one of those days when I was able to see my hard work pay off, even if it was just having him make the word "but". "But" not this one is what I want to say! Not this child. He wont fail. He wont end up on drugs or in jail like his parents.

Today's word is "but". What are you saying "but" to today?

Romans 5:3-4  "Not only so, BUT we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

"I want your brain"

 Has anyone ever told you that they want your brain?

Well, I was told that today by one of my students.

As I sat there trying to help him do his addition problems, he looked up at me and told me he wanted my brain. He proceeded to pretend to cut out my brain and put it in his head- sound effects and all!

I asked him why he wanted my brain. He said it was because I am smart. (On top of being told I’m pretty and funny daily, I have now been told I am smart! Another reason why I love my job!) I told him that he is also smart and he insisted that he wasn’t. That broke my heart. I went on to tell him that he is smart and that he just needs to work hard to get smarter and smarter!

Side note: I was talking to one of my principals today about the power of your words. I told her about my little guy who thinks he’ll never be smart. She encouraged me to continue to speak life into my students and I encourage you to speak life into the people you are around.

Driving home (in rush hour traffic) I was thinking about how I’ve never really wanted another human’s brain- but I sure do wish I could have a glimpse into God’s. Just like how my little guy felt like he’d never get a grasp on addition or be as smart as me, I am in a season where I feel like it’s hard to know what’s on God’s mind for my life.

When my little brother was quite young my parents were believing for a huge financial breakthrough. My little brother boldly stated that we don’t need money, all we need is God’s mind.

I’m praying for God’s mind in this season. And I’m praying that my little guy realizes that he has a very special brain, not to be traded for anyone's. 

Inconvenient: the 13th

I got another new student today. 

I started the year with 12 students. Lost one a few weeks in. Got a new one a few weeks ago and then another new one today. So now I have 13.

13 is an inconvenient number. Pairing the students to do activities doesn't work very well with an odd number. Getting a new student without notice in the middle of the day is also inconvenient. Finding a name plate for the new kid's desk and a locker that is empty for her stuff and a place for her in the line order are all inconvenient. Explaining the behavior system, schedule and procedures are inconvenient too.

But if I wanted a "convenient" job I would have worked at the country club across the street from my house.

Inconvenient is the name of the game if you or I want to make some sort of difference in the world.

I emailed my mom, Savannah and Amy mid-day today to ask them to pray that I have grace for one more child. Here are a few things they each said:

Savannah: "God has you there & god put Jakiya in your class for a reason!"

Amy: "You're so strong!!  I will begin to pray for her."

Mom: "Trusting that every child that comes through your door is brought by God, and needs to have you in his or her life."

Sometimes it's good to let people know you're feeling inconvenienced. They will quickly remind you of what's important.

Golf Carts vs. Police Cars

As most of you know, Monday was Halloween. I’ve never been a huge fan of this Holiday. Mostly because I don’t like scary things. And because I think the decorations are ugly.

Here’s what happened on Monday: I left work around 5:15pm. As I drove past the housing projects my kids live in, there were kids everywhere! They were trick-or-treating in broad daylight. (Also, there were police cars circling the neighborhood.)

Then I went home to my job of handing out candy to kids in my neighborhood.

Each time the doorbell rang, I opened the door and saw kids in fancy costumes being chauffeured to each house by their parents driving golf carts. 

It was dark, there were no cops, AND they were riding in golf carts instead of walking!

It really messed me up.

It’s not fair that my kids live in such a dangerous environment where they aren’t even safe outside during the day.

It’s also not fair for the kids in my neighborhood to think that it’s normal to trick-or-treat with a personal golf cart chauffeur.

To both a disservice is being done.

"Get Out of Jail Free"

A typical day for me consists of waking up at 5:30am, leaving for school at 6:30am, getting there at 7am.. kids come in at 7:45… I teach, discipline, laugh… all the usual things. The kids tell me stuff about their lives and I tell them about mine. If I’m lucky, no one will go to the principal’s office. Then off they go at 3:45pm.

Sometimes the kids will tell me very serious things about their lives. One of my students told me their dad died a few years ago. Another morning one of the kids told me she had a dream that I got shot. Not exactly what you want to hear at 8am- or ever!

But nothing has quite affected me as what “V” said to me this morning. It was the usual type of morning. The students were working on morning work as I took attendance, distributed pencils, and strolled around the room to say hi to each student. He called to me and said “Ms. Thomson, does everyone get out of jail on Christmas?” Such an odd question. My initial response was going to be “no” and then try to explain how jail works… but I felt a nudge on the inside to be extra careful with this one.

I decided to ask why he asked that questions and if he knows anyone in jail. He said “yes, my daddy.” Wow. Wasn’t ready for that one. He was hopeful that somehow, on Christmas, everyone got a “get out of jail free” card.

I couldn’t shake it today. V’s question echoed in my head all day. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be 6 years old and to know your dad is in jail and that he probably wont be home for Christmas.

In every moment, of every day, I have the most precious responsibility: to show to my kids the unending, never failing love of a heavenly father who will NEVER let them down. In fact, he’s rescued each one of us from our own jail cells. He’s given us a “get out of jail free” card by sending his son Jesus.

Please pray for my sweet “Lil V”. That he gets a glimpse of Jesus.

Also, take a moment to thank God that you’ve been offered a “get out of jail free” card which gives you hope for the days to come.