Perfect Peace

It's 9:30pm and I'm sitting at my desk at school.  It's dark, borderline creepy, and not a single teacher is at the school this time of night.  I didn't come here to work, I came here to pray.  Tomorrow, 23 boys and girls will enter into my classroom.  These empty seats will not only hold students tomorrow, but they will hold stories.  Each student comes with a past.  It will be my job this year to learn their stories and build upon those stories.  There will be good days and bad days.  Days where I question why I do what I do.  Days when I want to quit.  But Lord, during those days, will you please shower me with your love so that I can in return have the energy to love these kiddos in return.  Tonight, I pray for each child by name.  I pray that I can not only teach them, but that I can love them with all I have. 


But, Lord, I don't just pray for them tonight.  I pray for myself.  I pray that I can know how to balance my professional and personal life.  I desire to meet new people and develop relationships, but sometimes, I just put too much time into school because it's something that I have to invest into.  If it's your desire for me to meet someone or something this year, I pray that I can commit to it with a full heart.  Please take care of me Lord when I feel inadequate in my job.  I pray Lord that my job doesn't become my identify.  That when I look at other teacher's classroom and become jealous of all their cute stuff, or when I am evaluated, or when I look at my classroom's test scores, that I don't allow those things to define me.  I'm more than that Lord.  I know it, but sometimes, I just forget.  I forget that you died for me for more than those things.  Allow me to trust you....trust that you are working things out for good.   Those things in my life that I may not have answer to now, remind me that you have gone before me and have fought my battles already. I don't pray that you take the storms away, but I do ask that you give me peace within the storms. 


This classroom has a sense of peace about it right now.....that peace is perfect.  As I shut the lights out on this place tonight Lord, it's my prayer that I learn the stories of these students, provide them with what they need, guide my heart to not seek my identify in the things of this word, and that Lord, when I need it.....provide my heart with this peace I have now. 


I trust your goodness.....for you alone are faithful.....you alone provide me with perfect peace. 


My Song of Peace For This Year