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| Ms. Gibson's First Day of School |
I have been helping my oldest daughter get her new classroom
ready this week. She just graduated from college last May and is beginning her
very first teaching job. Sixth grade Social Studies. In the very same building
where she attended middle school once upon a time. Arranging desks, putting up
bulletin board displays, hanging posters, organizing books, and labeling
EVERYTHING (the label maker is her new favorite toy). A room of her own. It has
been quite a project.
While we were working, I started to think about all of the
other rooms I have helped to prepare for this girl of mine. The nursery her
daddy finished remodeling just a few hours before we went to the hospital for
her birth (I was telling him where to put stuff while I was having
contractions!). All of her different bedrooms during her childhood (she endured
nine moves). Her college dorm room. Her first apartment. Let’s not forget all
of the different décor- Disney babies, balloons, Winnie the Pooh, ballerinas,
flowers and butterflies, a ridiculously large poster of the Jonas Brothers, ISU
Bengal everything, and loads of inspirational quotes. There have been A LOT of
rooms over the years.
This classroom, though. This room is very special.
All of the other rooms have been preparing her for this
room.
This is the room where she will step fully into her purpose.
Where she will live out all that she has been preparing for since the
beginning. Where she will prayerfully plan her lessons and consider the needs
of each and every child. Where she will mentor and mold the tender hearts of
her students. Where she will inspire, challenge, and encourage those around her
to do their very best. Where she will lovingly guide those awkward kiddos along
their journey to finding their own purpose.
There will be laughter. There will be tears. There will be
music and corny jokes and lots of questions. So. Many. Questions.
But, most of all, there will be Hope.
You see, she is the one thing that all of these rooms have
had in common. She is the one who brings her very own spark of magic into every
room she enters. Her light, her heart, her desire to be used by God in every
situation. Her ability to bring hope to others.
Yes, this is a very special room.
Today she will welcome all of her students into this room
for the very first time. When they enter they will see this hanging on the
front wall by her desk.
Yes, it does. For all who spend time in this room, may it be
an adventure to remember!
