There’s a scene in the movie “The Backup Plan” that I can relate to very well. At this point Stan, who just found out his girlfriend is pregnant (after conceiving twins through artificial insemination before she met him) is talking to a father at a local park. It goes a bit like this:
Stan: What's it like, the whole kid thing?
Playground Dad: The best way I can describe it is, it's awful awful awful awful, and then, something incredible happens, and then awful awful awful awful ...
I feel like this often in my teaching here at Sun Valley. The kids were AWFUL today! They talked back to me, refused to do their work, grumbled about everything, and pushed each other around. I ended up having to send a couple students to the office and others to various classrooms next door. Four students lost recess, three lost participation in the Christmas party, and three had to stay with me until dinner. THEN, something incredible happens. Ruben, whom I had kept with me until dinner (he also lost recess and the party) asked me to sit by him at dinner. Awww….they don’t hate me! While rollerblading with them around the gym after dinner, several students desired to hold my hand as we traveled around the circle. I slipped at one point and killed my ankle. Some of the students took off my skate for me and rolled me one-legged over to the edge.
It’s just so encouraging when those moments happen. I feel just like the playground dad. It can be awful, awful, awful as I try so hard to show Jesus to these kids and discipline them in a godly manner. Then, the incredible happens and it makes all the awful go away.
Nice story. I just have to believe that the difference we are making will not always be felt right away, but comes as we endure.
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