I have a lot to learn (I know I am breaking from the whole "thoughts on" theme, but hey, you have to be wild and crazy sometimes)

So, today I was upset with one of my students because she wasn't listening and when she continued to not listen she stormed off to the "talk it out" corner (which incidently I had told her she could do if she was upset). I was feeling very frustrated and upset. I went over to talk to her and became more frustrated. I then went back to the table she had come from to find something that would humble me.

The very kids who she had been unkind to were concerned about her. They were asking me if they could go over and comfort this little girl. They also wanted to know if they could write her cards to help her feel better. My jaw dropped and I just about cried right then and there. I couldn't believe how amazing these kids are!

I told them I had to think about it for a second because I knew I needed to talk to the student first. So, I tried to take a cue from my childlike kids and look at things from the student's perspective. She has been having a rough time lately with some family situations so I knew I needed to be a little more understanding, but also knew I couldn't allow her to talk to the other students the way she had.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I talked to her and we worked some things out. We now have a signal for when she is feeling upset and the kids continued to be so kind. This student said she wanted to be alone for a minute so the kids who wanted to comfort her didn't go over, but I sure was taught something.

The more I teach, the more I realize that I am the one being taught. I have so much to learn from these wonderful kids. I am beginning to understand what the scriptures mean by saying that we need to become as little children. My students humbled me with their kindness and showed me how to love. I hope someday I can be as great as they already are.

My friend Jana posted this on her blog. I hope she doesn't mind if I borrow. It is very fitting with what happened today.

"Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other."
-Marvin J. Ashton