Saturday, February 11, 2012

THE TEACHER



I remember when I was in the 7th or 8th grade. A paper was due in Mrs. Foster’s Literature Class. We were to write a paper about what we wanted to do later in life. I grew up on a farm. I wanted to be a farmer. I wrote about growing things. I wrote about the smell and feel of a handful of dirt. The dirt seemed to be alive. It was warm in my hand as I pulled it near my nose to smell. I let it filter through my fingers as it fell to the earth. I walked across the field and kicked at the hay drying in the sun waiting to be baled. I could smell the musty aroma. I ended with; I want to be a farmer, God’s servant in the field. Mrs. Foster graded the papers. Near the end of the class she said she wanted to read one of the papers. She read mine aloud before the class. In a way I was proud. In another way I was embarrassed. Some of my classmates sort of snickered. They thought my aspirations were set too low. At the end of the class Mrs. Foster told me to wait a moment. She said, you may become a farmer. You may learn a way to feed the world. When you get as old as me, remember a long time ago when you took a pencil in your hand and made an old woman proud. I walked toward the door and she called my Name. She said, Johnny. I have to know something. Did you make the dirt smudge bellow the last line intentionally? I said yes. She said, you’re pretty smart. I walked toward the door. I turned around and said, Mrs. Foster. You’re pretty smart too. As I stepped into the hall I heard the rustle of tissue from the box she kept on her desk. I wiped a damp eye with my shirt sleeve as I walked down the hall.
Jesus was called The Teacher. He taught the disciples and teaches us through the Bible every day. If you read the Bible and study it as you read you will learn from The Teacher, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
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FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

21 comments:

Pumice said...

I enjoyed this memory. Thanks.

Grace and peace.

Frank E. Blasi said...

You say that some of your classmates snickered when you wrote that you wanted to be a farmer.
It is a sad fact that there is a high level of snobbery, particularly here in the UK, against good trade apprenticeships, in favour of higher education. There was even a newspaper article about it.
A very good post, which moved me as I read it.

Gorges Smythe said...

One of your best posts ever, JT! God bless you brother.

manthano said...

Some of us learn these truths too late in life.
Thanks for the post and God bless you.

child of God said...

JT, you are smart. :) Thanks for sharing this memory, I love it.

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JT said...

Thanks for your comment Pumice.

JT said...

Thanks for your comment Frank.

JT said...

Thanks for your comment Manthano.

JT said...

Thanks for your comment Child of God.

Starry Dawn said...

Great post, John!!
You have chosen a very inspirational title to illustrate your wise words.
Have a Happy Valentine's Day, John, with those you love!!
God bless you always!!
Blessings,
Poet Starry Dawn.

JT said...

Thanks for your comment Starry Dawn.

David said...

Awesome blog. God Bless.

Susan Marlene said...

Hey JT, This is such a wonderful memory doubly blessed because the teacher was touched and teacher alsoal Mega blessings to you!

JT said...

Thanks for your comment David.

JT said...

Thanks for your comment Susan.

PJ said...

Hi JT! What a beautiful Post! I saw your comment on Frank's Christian Thoughts, so I decided to come over and check out your blog, as well as Maybe giving you a little insight. You said you don't think that People are turning away from God? They Are. According to God's Word, that is exactly what is to happen in the latter days. (Which we are in). I must say I have mixed feelings about it. I don't like it because I think everyone should be a servant and friend of God. I think everyone should love Jesus as much as I do, and I do my best to enlighten people who may not know Him or are misguided and even try to be an encourager in the Name of Jesus. At the same time, I am excited about it because people's love of God waxing cold is a sign of the times it tells me that Jesus' return is drawing nearer and nearer. God Bless you JT, You have a new follower.

PJ

Starry Dawn said...

Awesome post, awesome blog, John!!
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and your love with the world!!
We love you, brother in Christ!!
Thank you for your kind visit and comment in my blog!!
I highly appreciate it.
God keeps blessing you, John!!
Big Hugs,
Poet Starry Dawn.

Susan said...

What a wonderful word of wisdom, Jesus said the least will be the greatest. What the world thinks is great is actually not that great at all in Jesus way of seeing things, is it? This post reminds me of the Beatitudes. Thank you for the reminder :)

JT said...

Thanks for your comment Susan.

Frank Lockwood Senior said...

I liked that post: It was a great story. Thanks for following my blog too. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Frank

JT said...

Thanks for your comment Frank.