A Room of Her Own

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!