“You have a gift.” Seth’s 5th grade teacher said to him today. She looked him in the eye and proceeded to list distinct traits he has that make up the various gifts he has been given by God. Seth was sitting in-between Neal and I at the table and I looked at him often to see his reaction and even though I had said the same things to him over and over again I could see by the rosy florets on his cheeks that he was hearing her, not just listening. There was a humbleness to his reaction and for a moment I thought he wanted to look away but she was intent to look him in the eye and he looked back with respect.
It has only been 4 weeks into the school year but it has been obvious by Seth’s grades that he was rushing through things. I knew we were going to have to deal with this in the parent/teacher conferences but when we sat down and she began with talking about his gifts, talents, God-given abilities I instantly picked up on her tactic. One smart lady this teacher. Later in the day Seth came up to me and said, “Why do you think God has given me so many gifts?” I was taking clothes from the washer and putting them in the dryer but I stopped what I was doing and looked at him the way she did, directly in his eyes, “Because He knows you will do something with them and make this world a better place.”
Solemnly he nodded his head and I could see he was thinking so I didn’t move (or barely breathe…this is one of those moments you don’t want to lose). “I kind of wish He didn’t give me so many because that is a lot of responsibility.” I nodded in agreement, “Yes, it sure is. But soon enough you’ll see that it’s not so hard to work on the gifts He’s given you. They’ll all begin to flow together and that is when you begin to understand where it is He wants you to go or what He wants you to do.”
He messed with the sink for a second and then said, “I know one of my gifts is Math. I think maybe I knew that it was a gift and that’s why I rushed it because I knew I was good at it. I think I was thinking I didn’t have to work at it anymore because I’m good and now it’s my worst grade. But I’m not going to do that anymore.”
Inside I wanted to cry, how profound an interior observation for a 10 year old! I reached out and grabbed his arm, “Seth, that statement right there makes me the most proud of you right now. That is a very adult thing to admit, that you were ‘proud’ about your ability to do math and that pride got in the way. I know many adults that find it hard to admit these mistakes.”
He beamed from ear to ear. And in Seth fashion walked out of the laundry room doing a crazy dance.
I made sure to thank his teacher and let her know that she certainly was being God’s ‘good and faithful servant’ today. I know the true classroom is at home but there is something HUGE to be said for the influence a teacher, youth minister, priest, etc can have by offering one word of encouragement to a child.
If you haven’t lately, thank those that are secondary teachers to your kids for their positive role in their life.
Blessings
Shannon