Friday With Friends is hosted by Jennifer over at Trading Ashes For Beauty. Friday With Friends is a time to relax and enjoy getting to know one another through the blogging world! For today we are encouraged to share a memory of school days and perhaps a favorite teacher.
Some of my first thoughts were "oh my, that was a long time ago...", but instantly my favorite teacher came to mind. Miss Polley was my third grade teacher and a blessing truly sent from the Lord.
It was during my third grade year that my home life seemed to get turned completely upside down. I had been raised in a loving home with a father who owned his own business and did well financially and a mother who stayed at home with my brother and I. We faithfully attended church and I was blessed to attend a Christian school from pre-k till then. Through a few wrong influences, my father began making poor choices that escalated into consequences of losing his business, many friends and family. Our normal way of life got turned completely upside down.
I entered 3rd grade a shy girl, without much confidence and desperately seeking some stability in my life. Miss Polley tucked me under her arm and provided the love, comfort and guidance that I needed. Although she didn't encourage me to do great things or share and inspire me to greater challenges, she knew that I simply needed some unconditional love and acceptance. She spent time with me, noticed things that were going on, in my life bought me ice cream and did many small acts of kindness for me. I had eye surgery that year and she visited me in the hospital, came to our home, went out to dinner with us etc. She established a relationship with me and my family that is still cherished in my heart to this day. Many people thought I was being treated as "the teachers pet", but I know that she was led by the Lord to provide exactly what I needed during that time of my life.
If there is a lesson taken from that year that I can use to this day it is to love others through their circumstances. Being kind, showing love and attention can go a long way in helping them cope with their circumstances. The blanket of unconditional love warms and protects the heart. It is often the unlovable that need love and attention the most, but with God's guidance and wisdom, we can extend His grace, love and help.
I didn't have a picture of myself at this age available, but will share one from the teenage years!
What a beautiful post! That is one special teacher. Having been a teacher myself- it really touched my heart.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your sweet comment over at my place:)
Have a great Friday and weekend!:)
Linda
So glad you joined us!! Have to say - LOVE THE HAIR! We were with the "in crowd" of what?!?! I don't really know about me and the in crowd but that hairstyle sure was popular.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful blessing - I think a specific blessing for you at that time. There is so much more that goes into being a "real" teacher than just explaining the ABCs...and your teacher truly had a teacher's heart and sensitive, sweet spirit. Such a nice story....
So happy you joined us today - have a great weekend!