Reminisce

I had a moment of frustration today. Well...maybe many moments. It is towards the end of the year and of course the buzz word around any school this time of year is "assessment". Often this word buzzes in teacher's ears so loudly and so obnoxiously (or maybe it's just me). Yet, it is part of teaching and it can help to measure student's growth.

I drove home today feeling tired of testing and feeling like student's shouldn't be marked by a test score. I felt discouraged because some of my little friends did not perform as I had hoped. I felt defeated because I try my best daily and work my hardest. Now, sure, I could always work a little harder, but there are days where I am just plain worn out. So Lord, I ask for more of your strength and patience as I go to school tomorrow. Yet, still these kids are put in a box with a big piece of masking tape all around it labeled with their end of year test score. This is my rant on testing - now I am done. 

Anyways...as I was driving home I found myself thinking about my little Kenyan friend who wore a sparkly, satin, torn, blue dress and broken, pink, glittery sandals. I held her on my hip for quite a while that day last summer. She was beautiful with her sweet little face and big brown eyes. Her smile was radiant. I asked her name at least five different times but never could quite make it out with her thick African accent. She created multiple braids in my hair and never ceased to stop singing her song. Her song was loud, clear, and repetitive. It went a little something like this..."Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, again I say rejoice!" We sang this line together multiple times, over and over and over again. Our languages were different but our spirit's in sync.

This little one speaks a truth worthy to be spoken at school, at home, around town, constantly. To "rejoice in the Lord always" means to be glad, grateful, and jubilant in all circumstances...even during testing at school. Why? Rejoice because you are free. Rejoice because you are forgiven. Rejoice because you are worthy. Rejoice because you are loved with a relentless love. Rejoice because of His mercy. Rejoice because of His grace. Rejoice because He is living and active and dwells within us. Rejoice because when we knock we will find. Rejoice because He is with us always even til the end of the age. Rejoice in the Lord always. 

Father God. Would you please shift my perspective? Shift my perspective to see with Your eyes, love with Your heart, and rejoice in all circumstances. You sent Your Son to die a murderer's death for me and that is enough for me to rejoice. That will always be enough. 

Amen.