Starting school back up after two weeks of vacation is somewhat akin to a train wreck. Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration, but it’s definitely no picnic. Students that already challenged me (even on their good days) before vacation came back in fine form, and reestablishing behavior expectations and special behavior programs for a few of them was difficult. We (myself included) were all out of practice.
However, during this week, I had an incredibly thought-provoking experience. One of my students, who has a hard time finishing work, staying on task, and engaging in appropriate classroom behavior, was starting a new behavior program this week. He and I keep track of where he lands on the behavior chart at the end of each day, and he earns points for each assignment he completes in class. The first day was tough for him, but at the end of the second day, before we filled out his chart, he came up to me with a very serious face and asked, “Did I do good today?” Happily, I was able to tell him he had done a great job that day and I was so proud of him for working so hard to make good choices. His face broke into a wide grin and he turned around to go to his desk to fill out his chart.
In that moment, it occurred to me that one day, I will be asking God the same question. I will be standing before Him, asking “Did I do good?” I will be just like the child from my classroom, hoping that I did something right, that I made my teacher proud. I know there will be innumerable sins in my life and that nothing I do could ever earn God’s love and grace, but I hope that when I ask if I did good, he will tell me “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
hopewithoutahome 