Wednesday, March 14, 2018

A Wednesday for Urgent Prayer


This Wednesday has been chosen as a day for students to walk out of their schools in protest to school violence. Students are expected to do so for 17 minutes, one minute for each victim from February 14 this year. My prayers today are focused on this event and the students who participate.  Many students will take this event seriously and will thoughtfully consider what is happening.  Unfortunately, some students will not give it much thought and will see it as an opportunity to get out of class and cause problems.  I pray for the safety of all students.  I’m concerned for the students who choose not to participate.  They have the right to remain in class.  I pray they will be allowed to stay in without negative and judgmental repercussions.  All administrators, teachers and support staff across the country deserve our prayers and support to manage this day to the best of their abilities.  A lot of concerns have been placed on their shoulders. 

We should always lift those students up who walk the halls of every school without friends or support.  I rarely have a child I can’t like, but one year he showed up in my class.  He was mean and spewed hatred with every word.  I tried to ignore him, but he wasn’t having it.  He was absent one day.  When I saw him in the hall later, I smiled and said, “Hey, where were you? We missed you in class.”  I have no idea why I did that, well, I have a slight idea.  He stopped, walked over to me and told me all about his doctor appointment and what was going on with him.  He chatted away.  I said I would see him in class.  That was the end of the mean hateful boy for me.  He still behaved badly other places, but I never had a problem with him again.  All it took was a few words, a smile and a slight attitude change toward him to see a major change.  Teach your kids to be more kind.  I’m in favor of the Walk-Up suggestion given this week.  Walk up to the student without a friend and at least smile.  Go sit by the one all alone before school or at lunch. Smile even when you don’t feel like it.  This works for adults as well as students.  Just be friendly. 

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.  Matthew 7: 12


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