As most of you may know, I am going to school to be an Elementary teacher. I love working with children and my goal is to have a positive impact in their lives. It's no secret that I'm passionate about what I want to do in life, and despite criticism from some, have forged ahead with my goals. I am more than ready to secure my own classroom when I graduate in a year and a half. Teaching is not just a passion, but what I feel called to do. I hope you can relate to this post as I detail the stepping stones that brought me to where I am today.
Let's rewind to my second year at Nipgen (aka Miller's youth camp): All week, I had been fervently praying for God's will in my life. Of course, I was unsure about my future at the age of 15, but it didn't hurt to start thinking about it. I couldn't tell you who preached or sang that night, but I remember there was a powerful move of God during one of the altar services. It was in that service that I felt God call me to be a Sunday School teacher. While I have not seen that calling fully developed as a ministry within the church, I have felt that shift toward a burden for children in my community.
After I graduated high school (Fall 2015), I went to OBI for two months. I didn't know what I wanted to do career-wise; I felt like attending Bible college would give me the tools necessary to make that decision. I had an idea that I wanted to work with children in some capacity. I was leaning towards either social work or teaching because I thought counseling children would be a great way to help them. Throughout my time at OBI, I had the opportunity to travel with a ministry group called Outreach and had a great experience working in Children's Church. This further confirmed my idea that I wanted to work with children, but not specific to a Christian school setting. I had signed up for a Christian Education class while I was there, but realized my influence would be greater outside of private schools. I'm not saying I would never like to teach at Christian school, but that's not where my heart is at the moment.
When I went to OBI, I knew I would be stepping out of my comfort zone, but I wasn't doing it for me. I wanted to set aside that time in my life so that God could work on me in whatever way He saw fit. Although I left OBI, God wasn't finished working on me. As soon as I came back home, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to work with children, and I wanted to go to college to be an Elementary teacher.
Maybe a month after I returned home, doors began to open; I was able to start teaching the younger kids in Children's Church. I loved it, but it didn't work out for me to continue that position. Last year, I had the opportunity to briefly help out in a Sunday School class. Although neither of these opportunities lasted longer than a few months, they were both beneficial, and acted as confirmation to what God had called me to do at the age of 15.
Another door that opened when I came back from OBI was my involvement in the public school system. I signed up to be a substitute teacher and not long after, had my first job assignment. I have been subbing for a year now and finishing up my sophomore year at IU East. I have recently become a part of the bus ministry at my church as well. I said all of that to say this: When God places a calling on your life, He will fit together all the pieces of the puzzle. You have to allow Him to complete His work in you if you expect to fulfill your calling. It may take some time, but if you patiently endure, God will fulfill His promise. None of this is meant to brag on myself, but God's sovereign timing in my life.
I love working with children because I feel like I can connect well with them. Not only that, but I see their curiosity and it reminds me so much of how I was, and still am. I consider myself a life-long learner, and hope to eventually instill my love of learning in young minds. I want to be a teacher in public schools because I feel like that is where I will have the most impact. There are so many children that need someone to reach out to them, to care for them. Many of them, as I've already observed while subbing, come from rough home lives. Children need teachers to create a safe environment, and they need a good role model to help prepare them for the future.
Why am I so passionate about reaching out to children, and why are children so important in our society? Even Jesus had compassion for the little children. We must do the same.
*Matthew 18:4-5* Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
*Matthew 19:14-But Jesus said, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me: for such is the kingdom of heaven."
You may not have the passion I do for helping children, but everyone can do their part. Don't forget that you were once a child. Try to have a little compassion on children because you often don't see what is going on in their lives behind the scenes. They may seem hyper and/or defiant, but suffer the little children. Show them God's love no matter what.
Also, keep in mind that God will work everything for His good to those who love him. If you feel God calling you to the ministry or to work for him in some way, don't hesitate to answer the call. You will be amazed by how God orchestrates His plan for your life, so that you can fulfill that calling. Hopefully you found some encouragement in this post!