Our greatest advocate

Our sixties era school building does not ventilate well, so it's become increasingly stuffy in our classrooms as the temperatures continue to rise. As summer continues to tease us with her imminent arrival, my students are experiencing a surge of changing hormones and who knows whatever other changes occurring in the bodies of twelve and thirteen year olds.

Unfortunately for me, this has resulted in unceasing energy and flare-ups of attitude and tantrums all day long. I've found myself becoming more irritable, impatient, and altogether snappy towards my colleagues and students. I'm not only eager to leave the school building at the end of each day but also feeling justified for feeling irritated by my students. I say to myself, "Of course I have the right to be annoyed. I mean, L was rolling around on the classroom ground while S and T were simultaneously screaming at me for being too hype (in Philly speak, this means I was being overzealous in my disciplining duties)."

Yet the more I feel justified for these negative feelings, the more desensitized I've become in realizing how sinful my attitude has been as well. I'm quick to identify all of the negative behaviors of my students and call them out on it but I have forgotten to inspect my own heart over the very same sins.

It was encouraging and convicting to read 1 John 2:1 today. I know that Christ is our greatest advocate if we just go to Him, admit our sins, and ask for His help in turning away from it. I'm hoping that for the next 28 school days, I can continue to look at my students through the eyes of our Father.