a schoolmarm's heart.

 In the wee hours of any weekday morning, you would see a tired teacher rising for yet another day. She groggily stumbles into the kitchen to make herself some coffee, and once that is accomplished she goes about preparing for the day. Her mind is full of just how the day could go, wondering how she can teach the new lesson for the day in a way they could understand. Those mornings can be hectic, but before she leaves for school, you would see her kneel beside her bed and pray to her God..."Lord, i pray for patience. Give me words to be able to teach those children in a way they can understand." And most importantly, "I pray that they'll see You in me." She rises to her feet and makes her way to school.

   It is a beautiful, crisp fall morning. As she walks in the front door, she takes notice of the bright blue sky, the bright sunshine, and the changing trees. She makes her way to her desk and prepares for the day. The minutes go by fast and very soon, the front door opens and little feet come running up the stairs. They're running up those stairs to her and she is now responsible for other people's precious little children. You might see her watching the curtain, waiting for the first little boy to pop through and give her a beaming smile and a 'Good morning!'

   And so another day begins. Those precious children raise their voice in song and her teacher heart thrills to hear them sing, "There is a happy land, far, far away!" And then the memory verse for that week, "as for me and for my house, we will serve the Lord!" Before she knows it, that patience she prayed for is being tested, and she once again sighs a "patience, dear Lord," and even tho she get outs the counting bears and once again counts out five, and then takes 3 away, only to do the same with the next combination, she knows it will get better. And it does, next time she notices those combinations are easier than before and once again her teacher heart thrills. 

   The day comes to a close, and as those children walk out the door, they all stop and wait until she gives them a hug. With happy promises of "see you tomorrow!!" they walk out the front door and go back to their mamas, and their teacher is left on her own, to think back over this day. She remembers the bright sunny smiles, and she smiles to herself. She remembers the confused look in that little boys eyes when he just couldn't make sense of what she was trying to tell him, and she feels failure. She remembers how they all laughed at yet another made up knock knock joke and chuckles to herself to think how pleased they were that they were so funny. She remembers how this time when they had counted dimes, everyone understood how dimes worked and she felt gain. She goes to bed that evening with a heart full of love for those dear children who were under her care, and the thoughts of just what tomorrow might bring. and she's ready for it, because she was certain of this one thing. Her God had been there to help her today and she knew He would be tomorrow. 

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