Theme: Love hurts but is worth the pain.
I once read this story about a third-grade teacher in a Colorado public school who was troubled as a new teacher because she felt disconnected from her students. She wrote, “As a new teacher, I struggled to understand the reality of my students' lives and how to support them best. I just felt like there was something I didn't know about my students.”
So, she crafted an assignment to help her better know her students. The instructions were simple: Complete this thought. I wish my teacher knew____.
Students were allowed to remain anonymous or sign their names if they felt comfortable. Most not only signed their names but were willing (even anxious) to read their responses in front of the class.
Some of the responses were:
“I wish my teacher knew I don’t have a friend to play with me.”
“I wish my teacher knew I don’t have pencils at home to do my homework.
“I wish my teacher knew how much I miss my dad because he got deported to Mexico when I was three years old …”
“I wish my teacher knew that sometimes my reading log is not signed because my mom is not around often.”
The teacher wrote, "Building community in my classroom was a major goal of this lesson. After one student shared that she had no one to play with at recess, the rest of the class said, 'We got your back.' The next day, during recess, I noticed she was playing with a group of girls. Not only can I support my students, but my students can support each other."
As was shared this past Sunday, to encourage and support each other, we must draw closer and truly understand the needs of others. We must ask and answer the question, “I wish my Pastor, sister, brother, or team leader knew_______.
We must create an environment that allows those who worship with us to feel safe and come out from behind the bulletins and Bibles, struggling silently with life’s challenges. Perhaps it is fear of judgment or thinking that no one would care. As leaders demonstrate vulnerability, others will feel safe to do the same.
Our role is to encourage by drawing close to others, listening, and being willing to share our vulnerabilities, not judge, and be the solution. And all of us must own that role as best we can. Once someone is encouraged, they should take that lesson and encourage another.
Praying for someone is the greatest thing, but praying as a substitute for risking being involved in another’s life is not what God wants from us. It is safer, but not what Jesus did.
C.S. Lewis once wrote, “If you love deeply, you’re going to get hurt badly. But it’s still
worth it.”
Scripture: James 2:16, Ephesians 4:16, Galatians 6:2 (all NIV)
“If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love”
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Prayer:
Lord, please never allow me to comfortable again. Never allow me to not hurt for others, or not to share their burdens. Let me see others as Jesus did, and if it seems odd for some, so be it. I would rather be seen as crazy in Christ than callous and selfish. Please draw those in need to me, and give me the strength and resources to be what you need me to be in their lives. Amen
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