“Be joyful in hope. Endure trials patiently. Persist in prayer.” (Romans 12:12 EHV)
REFLECTION
It was a very humbling experience to go from being one of twelve selected for a literary programme at Oxford, to teaching the fundamentals of basic writing to lots of little people. In time, I began to recognise the immense importance and privilege of training meandering minds in the way they should go. And when I began to prayerfully adopt a more holistic approach to teaching children, then the most basic task began to take on a far deeper meaning. For example, when I placed my hand over a small hand struggling to hold a pencil, and together we formed the letter (until my young student could do it confidently without assistance), we were enveloped in unspoken kindness and appreciation, and we both benefitted. And as I showed up day in and day out, I discovered the sweet fruit of patience growing in the well tilled soil of my soul. And my young students were not only learning how to write, but they were also privy to the process of practicing patience. And even in sharp rebuke, patience is required to persevere through the painful process of course correction.
I confidently prepared the above words earlier today, and then I unexpectedly found myself in the throes of a patience test of note, and I clearly failed. So, now it seems I need to be patient with myself … as I get back up and turn to the Lord, in repentance, and ask Him to help me prayerfully practice patience.
PRAYER POEM: Revere
JESUS, here is my heart: shine your light, reveal and heal any dark part.
Keep me near and help me heed what I hear, and Your holy name revere.
