Know your limits…

The first week back to school has brought much excitement and some stress too.  I have to explain a situation I’ve experienced this week and then share what I’ve learned from it.

My colleague had a baby last week and of course is out on maternity leave.  We had an amazing substitute lined up to fill in for her however at the last minute she got hired on by the district.  We followed appropriate procedures to find another sub.  She showed up the first day of school and participated in a few days of professional development with us.  I had taken quite a bit of time to sit and explain everything with her as thoroughly as I could.  However, she lacked the experience of teaching before; she only had subbing experience and not much of that was in special education.   As I worked with her, I began to worry more and more that she was not ready for a position of this size.

This is where I learn from this young woman.  Through a chain of events she admitted that she did not feel able to fulfill the expectations of the position.  She resigned from her position much to my relief.  She knew her own limits.  She knew what she could do and she was wise enough to recognize when something was too much for her.

This made me wonder… do I know my limits as well?  Am I as wise to say “yes” when I can and “no” when I know I can’t?  I think all too often we don’t want to let someone down, be embarrassed, or be seen as a failure.  However, how much more admirable it is to realize prior to failure that something is too much or too big for us to handle.

I know there are some circumstances that we are able to recognize our limits and live within them.  I’m encouraged to do that more within my own life through this experience and through God’s word…

Psalm 131:1

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.

I’m encouraged today to find peace for my soul in my Savior Jesus and my loving Father God!!!  I hope in God alone forevermore!!!

Farewell summer….

The old saying goes …”All good things must come to an end”

I can say I have truly enjoyed every one of my summer days & I’ve lived them to the full!!! I’ve loved swimming, time with friends, parties at our house, crafts, organizing stuff and quality time with my husband!!!  I guess if everyday was a summer day then I would lose appreciation for them!!! Summer days are well enjoyed because of the days spent working hard all year!!!

Although I am extremely sad to say good-bye to summer, I do hold in my heart a sense of anticipation and excitement for the year ahead.  With anything new comes a fresh start, a clean slate, another chance… such is the year ahead.  I am sure there are many changes that lie ahead.  I have a new principal which I’m sure will bring many changes to my school.  I have many new additions to my team.  There are always new students that venture though the doors on the first day. There is a newness that lay ahead in the days and months to come that gives me this sense of excitement!

My superintendent has adopted a theme of “Optimism” this school year.  I’d like to focus my thoughts on that too…I desire to see the glass half full in all situations. I wonder what amazing things could be accomplished this year?   Which students lives could be touched and changed forever?  Which student could learn to read this year like they never have before?  Which student will have someone care for them like they never have had before?  Which staff member will reach beyond the potential they thought possible?  What can my school accomplish in the lives of students and in the community in which they live?

I know God has a plan for the year ahead again fueling the anticipation in my heart.  So on this eve before it all begins I commit the year my loving Father.  I pray that everyday I will work as though everything I do I do for my God!!!