Back to School

God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Job 36:22 NIV

Whirrr went the electric pencil sharpener as I sharpened forty-eight new pencils to dance across pages of white. Each child sat before me with book bags in hand as I called off the items for them to place inside. Book bags packed, new clothes lying out, and lunchboxes waiting to be filled I sent my soon-to-be third grader and Kindergartener upstairs for baths.

As I brushed hair and teeth, I thought it a great time to go over some rules to follow for having a great year.

1. Do more listening than you do talking. If you are talking at the same time as the teacher, you may miss some very important instructions.

2. Follow directions. Don’t question what you have been told, just get down to business and follow directions the first time. It will save you much heartache in the long run.

3. Stay on task. Your teacher is smarter than you. Guaranteed. Each task serves a purpose in your overall education. Stay focused on what you need to do and don’t be distracted by others.

4. Come prepared. Don’t show up to school without your homework. Be sure you’ve put thought into what you might need each day.

5. Be flexible. Things will not always go the way you think they should. Smile anyway. Some pizza days could easily turn into fish sandwich days. Make up your mind to be happy no matter what.

Come to think of it, these rules could apply to me with my Teacher. When the house is empty and the bus is gone, I believe I’ll sit and consider how I can make this a great new year, as well. How about you? Are you ready to go back to school?