Service.

I love my job, but sometimes it's really hard working in a public middle school.  I was educated for 12 years in a Catholic school where we could openly talk about God and share our faith with each other.  Some days I wish so badly I could tell my students about Jesus' mercy and love for them.  Especially when I see them hurting so much.  This morning when I overheard a couple students mocking Christianity I wished I could have asked them to stop making fun of my God.  Maybe I could have subtly.  I'm still trying to figure out the balance of this separation.  One thing I can do is pray for my students silently when I overhear these comments.  I was also able to pray for the young student who was defending Christianity to them.  This afternoon I told her I was proud of her for sticking up for what she believes in and that I hope she always does that.  I told her I could relate to her and how she feels.  I doubt this was overstepping my bounds, but even if it was-she needed to hear it.
Since I can't openly talk about God, one thing I strive to do is teach my students about serving others.  I always start class with a bell ringer (to get them ready for the period), but today I didn't have one prepared.  At the last minute I wrote on the board, "What is one thing you can do to help someone else today?"  Besides the typical middle-school scoffers (whom I love anyway), I was very impressed with their answers:
"Open the door for someone"
"Pick up their book if it drops"
"Give a smile or a hug to someone"
"Be there"
"Lend a pencil"
"Give someone a compliment"
"Be encouraging"
"Be there" and "be encouraging."  Such simple and wise words.  We talked about how much different our school would be if everyone thought to do one nice thing for someone else today.  It was encouraging for me to hear what they can and want to do for others.  It was also Jesus reassuring me that He is still present at school, even if He's just a little disguised.