Thank God for Teachers

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it

2 Timothy 3:14

When I was a kid, I used to think that no one looks forward to school breaks, especially summer breaks more than a kid.  I used to count down the days till break – when we didn’t have to get up early.  We could spend the days however we wanted – at the pool, playing Baseball, watching the Cubs!  (Yes I had to get that in there.)  Now though I realize that I was wrong.  The people who most look forward to summer break… and who most deserve that summer break are teachers.

They work hard.   By this time of the year, they are tired.  I can see it on the faces of our pre-school teachers here at Fishers.  I could hear it in the voices of a couple of close friends who teach middle school and high school.  I have one friend that I like to kid about his annual sabbatical – his summer break from teaching.  But the truth is, I am glad he gets that break.  It will make him a refreshed and great teacher in the Fall.

Yet what is amazing, even though the teachers are all ready for break, they are still a little sad to see it come.  Yesterday was our preschool graduation.  During the rehearsal yesterday, and at graduation last night, there were tears being shed.  Teachers really invest a lot of themselves into their students.  

That’s why I picked these words from St. Paul for today’s blog – “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it…”  (Timothy 3:14)  I have been reminded numerous times this week about what a gift teachers are – especially those who teach us about our Lord Jesus.  I was reminded last night as I listen to little four year old students sing their hearts out about Jesus and about waves of God’s mercy and grace!  When you hear little kids sing at the top of their lungs about Jesus – to me that’s a taste of what we will all be doing in heaven.  Thank God for our teachers.

Last Sunday we confirmed three young Christian ladies here at Fishers.  They stood before the congregation and confessed their faith in Jesus.  Their confession was the fruit of parents, pastors, Sunday school teachers, confirmation teachers, DCEs and more who have taught them the faith.  Thank God for teachers. 

This week I got to visit with two friends who teach at a Lutheran School in Las Vegas.  For all sorts of reasons this has been quite a year.  Many of their students were at that concert on October 1 where the gunman shot up the crowd.  These two teachers and others at the school have spent the year loving the students of their school with the love of God… loving them, praying for them, listening to them – being used by God to bring healing to broken hearts.  Thank God for Teachers.

Just last week – just 30miles from here in Santa Fe, Texas – there was yet another horrible school shooting.  Once again, we have heard stories of teachers and teachers aids who put themselves between their students and the gunman.   Now those teachers, who are themselves hurting inside, must take up the task of loving their students through the coming time of post-traumatic stress.  Thank God for teachers.

Yesterday, I sat in my office listening to two new members – one a retired teacher and the other a retired principal – telling me stories from their days in the various schools where they taught and led.  Linda is a teacher.  I look on Facebook and see pictures of our daughter putting up camping tents in her classroom to help her special needs students grow and learn.  I think of our son – one teaching English in Indonesia, another teaching the faith as a Pastor in New York, the youngest talking about how he will miss the adult classes he has taught on vicarage.  Thank God for teachers.

This week, I texted on Facebook messenger with Pastor Miles.  He is the pastor who taught my confirmation class.  I loved those classes.  He woke up a hunger in me to know more about Jesus and God’s word.  He is the one who encouraged me to go into ministry… who took me to visit Concordia College Milwaukee (Now Concordia University Wisconsin).  There I began my preparation for ministry.  There I met the love of my life – Linda.  There I met the man who mentored me through the first 25 years of ministry – Pastor David Koch.  Eventually all of our children went there and three went all four years. While I was texting with Pastor Miles, I had the chance to thank him for being my Pastor and teacher of the faith. 

So now I want to ask you.  Who have been the significant teachers in your life?  In particular, who have been the significant teachers of the faith in your life?    My challenge to you is this – if you have any way to contact these teachers, take the time to do so.  This is a good time of the year to tell them thank you... and good time to thank God for teachers.  So, to all you teachers – thank you.  I thank God for you.  Have a great summer break.