I have come to fall in love with teaching in Catholic schools. What are YOU in love with?...

"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything." - Pedro Arrupe

Friday, January 23, 2015

Unexpected (heartfelt) Validation

An unsuspecting little me was going about my business, hanging student essays in the cafeteria in between classes, when a parent (who had been doing a presentation for a social studies class) came up to speak with me. We first talked about the high school application process (which, by the way, is crazy in Chicago!), but then our conversation took a turn, and he wanted to make sure I knew how much my teaching and guidance in his daughter's eighth grade Religion class had shaped his daughter's faith life this year. He said it was so important for his daughter to really start to blossom in her faith, as much of today's culture points to anything but Christian values.

I was taken aback. After just discussing last night with my faith-sharing group about how often I feel like I am failing, this man came along and said I should never feel like that because teaching the faith in such an earnest, anything-but-fluffy manner is what kids these days need.

Sometimes God sends people our way to lift us up when we're too hard on ourselves, and for such people, I am so grateful. Thank you, God for the thumbs up and pat on the back today - it was much needed and also much appreciated!

1 comment:

  1. it matters the most- even if it's not tested on the terra nova ;)

    ReplyDelete