Reading Should Change You

If my 6th and 7th graders learn only one thing while in my English class, I hope it's this: Reading should change you.  Yes, I would be relieved if they could learn the difference between your and you're or that 'cuz isn't a word, much less a reason. If after our eight months together, they can spell definitely or does correctly, I would be happy, and I think the world would thank me. But this is not why I teach.  It's not why I love reading and writing.

I love being an English teacher because I get to show 100 angst-ridden, hormonal 6th and 7th graders that there is a world outside of text messaging, Facebook posts, and YouTube clips.  Like teenagers everywhere, my students are consumed with drama.  Their friendships and romantic relationships are short-lived and not fulfilling.  They hate their parents one minute, love and admire them the next.  They don't know who they are, or what they want.  They simply can't see beyond themselves to appreciate the life they have been given. I'm not criticizing them.  I went through this stage.  It is why I'm not too worried about them.  They'll grow out of it, eventually.

However, when I am granted a small window of opportunity to get them to be moved by literature, I get to go home, hang my "teacher" coat up, and breathe a sigh of relief.  I did it.  They were affected.  Someone else's story caused them to see themselves and the world differently.

I had such a moment on Friday.

My 7th graders are in the midst of a Holocaust unit.  It's been the hardest and most rewarding unit I have ever taught.  I can unabashedly say they have learned more the last four weeks than they have this whole year.

Don't tell my district, but gasp, I read aloud to them.  A whole book.  Everyday.  Together, we read Yellow Star, a true account of a little girl who survived in the Lodz, Poland ghetto.  She was one of 12 children to walk out on Liberation Day.  270,000 Jews were forced to live in this ghetto over a six year time period, and only 800 people survived.  Of that, 12 were children. 12.

There were several times while reading this book that I got goosebumps or teary- eyed.  Again, I'm admittedly a tender-heart who loves reading.  You shouldn't be shocked that this book would affect me.

But the real thing to be celebrated is that I had 50 7th graders along for the ride.  When we finished the story on Friday, silence filled my classroom.  Eyes stared down at the tables.  One student had to quickly find the tissue box.  Words were unnecessary.  I knew what their silence meant- they had been moved.  Reading had affected them.

I had them write personal responses anonymously just so I could see what they were thinking. Here are some that validate that I am exactly where God needs me to be:

-"I take things for granted. I know I should value everything because they had nothing and they were just content with family." 
-"Through it all, they had hope.  They had each other and that was enough."
-"To be honest, I thought the Holocaust was just a tough part in history, but I realize that it was much more than a rough patch in someone's life.  It was real." 
-"Horrifying.  The feelings, thoughts of this unspeakable madness.  It made sorrow rise up from my aching heart.  Tears of respect flow down from my soul." 
-"I think many of us take life for granted.  I got chills throughout this book.  If we think our life is hard, just imagine being in the shoes of a Holocaust victim."
-"Jews went through so much pain seeing the Nazis kill their loved ones, but they still managed to hold onto hope. "


This is why I teach.

He is Why

Crossroads.  Junctions.  Intersections.

Call it what you will, but each is referencing those big life moments where "from this point on, things were never the same."

Our current series at church titled,"Changed Life...Changed Community...Changed World," is exploring these turning-point moments, most notably Jesus's triumph over death and how it literally changed everything.  When he conquered death, he paved a way for every person to have an intimate, personal relationship with his father.  His ultimate sacrifice allows me to sit here on my patio smiling because I know a freedom that is rooted entirely in grace and mercy.  My Father loves me, has always loved me, and will always love me.  My limited human experience will never fully appreciate or understand the gravity of that statement.  And I don't have to.  I just know it's true.

Jesus describes in Matthew 16:13-19 how nothing will be able to stop his church, his mission in having every person know the freedom that comes with God's grace and love.  In Acts 1:8, he describes how his church will spread first to "Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  2000 years later, and his promise hold true.  His church has spread to the ends of the earth.  I am living proof of that.

Today's service talked about Stephen, a preacher who accused the Jews of persecuting Jesus.  He is ultimately stoned to death for his sermon.  Upon seeing this, believers scattered. To where?  Judea and Samaria, ultimately fulfilling Jesus's own promise about how his church will spread.

Our God is so masterful.  He equipped Stephen to be exactly who He needed him to be.  Eloquence, intelligence, and position- all used so that one day, he could deliver this pivotal, life- changing sermon.  Stephen's death was for His purpose of spreading the great news of Jesus.

So here I am, thinking about God's purpose for each of us.  I am reminded of a quote that states, "The purpose of my life is far greater than my own personal fulfillment, peace of mind, or even my happiness.  It is far greater than my own family, career, or wildest dreams.  I was born BY His purpose FOR His purpose" (Beth Moore).

Stephen was wonderfully and intricately crafted by God to be used by God.

And I'm realizing, so am I.  He has entrusted me with this small amount of time on earth to live abundantly, fearlessly, and effectively.  My geographical location in the world, my passions, my disposition, my career choice- are all a part of God's plan. So it is with this in mind that I ask, "God...what do you want to do today? And how can I be a part of it?"