WHEN GOD CHANGES YOUR FOCUS

Throughout the years that we were married, we experienced many moves, but the one to Louisiana remains in my mind for many reasons. The move came at a time when we were just getting settled in Kansas and were beginning to get adjusted to the area where we lived. Culturally it was an area that was called a “melting pot” of different people. We loved the city and were close enough to get around the area easily. Our oldest son was in one of the best school districts in the area and we had made friends. The blend of the Old West was very prominent in the area and even in the smaller churches people attended in jeans and cowboy hats. The climate had a nice change of pace with four seasons but the wind constantly blew---even in the hottest parts of summer. More than one person claimed that Wichita was the windiest city in the US---and after having been through more than one tornado alert and seeing snow piled up several feet against the front door due to drifting, I can understand why. We had been working actively in a small but growing church and we were patiently waiting for the birth of our next child. Yet, both of us sensed God was leading us to something different. We had to put our faith and trust in Him and let Him guide us. (Proverbs 3:5)

Nothing seemed to happen for a while, but when God began to open doors, things moved quickly. Within one week, my husband was accepted for the assignment in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Extra money that we never anticipated became available for moving expenses and our house in Wichita sold. In that same week we were able to find a comfortable home in Baton Rouge in a good residential neighborhood. We were excited and a little overwhelmed to see God bring so many details together in such a short time frame. Our third youngest son was born in April. At the mere age of four weeks old, we placed the baby in the car, left our home and headed south.

Getting settled in the area took a little longer than most areas, but that was only because God was giving both of us new directions in our lives. My husband’s job responsibilities increased and he was challenged to grow and learn more about management. I fully expected to spend my time unpacking boxes and staying at home with the boys, but that direction also changed. I had spent my time in college working towards a degree in teaching, but with a growing family, I had been a “stay at home” Mom. I felt that nothing would change in the new area and was fully expecting to stay at home with my boys. What I didn’t anticipate was the need for an elementary school teacher at a Christian school in the area. Integration was being streamlined into the public schools and many parents and churches came together to open schools as alternatives to public education. Even hearing the announcement in church that there was still a need for a teacher, I didn’t feel immediately impressed to do anything. But since God’s timing and planning is different from ours, I did begin to feel that perhaps I was the person who should at least look into the opportunity. I made a phone call and interviewed for the job and in August I began teaching.

I never fully understood why things happened the way they did, but I realize that the direction my life took in Baton Rouge was one that challenged me and kept me hopping. I was hired as the 5th and 6th grade teacher for the school. My life took on a whole new perspective. Now I was a wife, mother and teacher. For the next seven years I taught classes in science and English. I enjoyed teaching and loved being around children. What I learned from those years could not easily be learned any other way. The trials and blessings, the joy and disappointment, the hard work and long hours, and the lessons from life gave me a foundation that I would take with me throughout the rest of life. It gave me new insights into what an awesome responsibility it is to have children and be responsible for their instruction---educationally, spiritually, and psychologically.

God’s Word gives us insights into the responsibility and joy of teaching. Psalm 32:8 (KJV) reminds us that “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” Again in Proverbs 8:33 (KJV) we are challenged to “Hear instruction and be wise. Do not disdain it.” Proverbs 23:12 (NKJV) reminds each of us to “Apply your heart to instruction and your eyes to words of knowledge.” Teaching is one of the gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4:11. Teaching is important and the person who teaches has a great responsibility not only to the child sitting in the classroom but also to God. The way that someone teaches and what is being taught are lessons that will go with children for life. And you don’t have to be a teacher in a classroom to teach. As you study your Bible you learn new information and using that knowledge you can teach others. It is a never-ending task because you are always teaching something either positive or negative. Your life becomes the textbook that others read. Is your teaching showing God’s love and care or is it teaching others things about the world and fleshly desires?