Monday, November 26, 2012

Against Such There is No Law

Last week a special little friend of mine lost his battle with cancer.  The doctors discovered it in the spring of his first grade year in my class.  Telling little ones that their friend's leg is sick is not the kind of conversation any teacher wants to have.  Thankfully he made it to fifth grade, but then his body couldn't fight any longer.  A sweet Christian friend of mine is his fifth grade teacher.  She knows that helping the children who were his friends since kindergarten through this loss isn't a job to be taken lightly.  When thinking about her situation, I found myself reminded of this scripture.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

My cousin David, who is a school administrator, wisely believes this scripture even applies to the classroom.  What I'm about to share is due to his insight.  As a Christian teacher, I believe in abiding by the laws of the land, so there are certain things I can't say or do when it comes to my Christianity.  Yet Galations reminds me there's no law against showing the fruit of God's spirit in my class.  What classroom couldn't use more love, joy, peace, etc.?  For my Christian teacher friend, there's no law against being God's hand extended to that classroom of grieving children.  I told her that I can just imagine her walking around her room throughout the day, touching the children over and over, and each time without them even knowing it, praying God and His peace into their lives.  

We will all dearly miss our little friend.  I'm thankful that I will always be his first grade teacher.  Here's a sweet note he gave me before he got sick.  Hundreds of notes have come and gone throughout the years, but this is one I'll never part with.  



(If you have a minute, listen to this song.  I pray it blesses you as much as it has me.)


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22 comments:

  1. Thank you for this verse. I love how it applies to our job. I will pray for your friend and his family.

    Amy
    What Happens in First Grade

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  2. Tammy, this brought tears... Such a difficult situation to go through. I am thankful these children have you and your friend to help them through it. We may not be able to mention our faith, but nothing can stop the prayers.
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, you're very right. Our prayers can't be stopped.

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  3. So sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine anything harder than the loss of a child. What a perfect message you have sent in this post though.
    My thoughts are with you and Jayden's family.
    Tammy

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  4. Beautiful... I'm so happy there are teachers like you, sharing your faith by your actions. Every child should be so blessed! Praying for you and for Jayden's family and friends!

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    1. Thank you Anita for your prayers. You're a blessing.

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  5. Your words have touched my heart! I have always loved that part that says, "Against such there is no law." I pray God continues to be His hands and feet through you. Having lost a student recently, I know how your heart breaks, but the Great Healer will be in the mending.
    Jenny
    Owl Things First!

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    1. Jenny, I'm sorry to hear you recently lost a student as well. I'm so grateful for a God who cares about us and mends our broken pieces.

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  6. Tammy - You are the woman God is with and it is so apparent that His light shines from you. I am grateful for teachers like you. Well actually any profession like you would be perfect. Thanks for sharing. Love you so my sweet friend

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  7. Thank you so much or sharing. I felt pain as I read it also the love you have that will heal. For me, God is love. Love is the only way.

    Kimberley
    1stinmaine.blogspot.com

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    1. Kimberley, God is love. You're so very right.

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  8. I am so sorry for your loss, I can't imagine the pain of losing a precious student so young. My prayers are with you and Jayden's family and friends. Let us know if there is anything else we can do to support you and your friend in God's work of healing!

    ~Jessica

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    1. Thank you Jessica for your comment and prayers.

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  9. That's really tough. I'm so sorry to hear about your young friend.

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  10. Sorry to hear that Tammy. Lots of prayers for everyone. Thank you for sharing the verse and your insight.

    Kelli

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  11. Love your blog and especially the sharing of Truth and Peace! For some reason I clicked on this post and am reminded how important we are in the lives of our little ones we teach, each life so very precious! Thank you!

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    1. Thank you. I'm glad that this post resonated with you. Sometimes a good reminder of our "why" makes all the difference.

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