The hot air hung thickly as we gathered for Bible School each night at Farmville Baptist Church. Those who carried signs to beckon their class, wiped the sweat from their brow. But 100-degree weather did not dampen the spirits.
As I stood there, my mind raced back to former years when I was a student. My teacher would march in with her flannel board. “Here comes Paul again,” we would smirk. Over and over she pounded the journeys of Paul in our hearts and minds. She was an excellent teacher, not given to much fun, but a way of holding our attention. There was an earnestness in her eyes that captured this little girl. Seems we never had a theme, just Paul.
I stood in the auditorium at Hill Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia, and tried to not miss a beat of “stand up,” … “sit down.”
A final farewell of gratitude I wish I could have given to each worker before they went to be with the Lord. Over the years I kept up with some of them but time claimed my friends. They watched me grow up and had a part in my life.
I liked to talk and would keep any class I was in alive. Too much so, according to my teachers. One day I had to sit in the hall and think about what “Please do not talk” means. The young teacher who chose to come out in the hall with me said a lot. She just sat there those few minutes and showed me she cared by not leaving me alone. To tell the truth, she slipped me a piece of candy. I was her favorite pupil. I went back in and talked less, thanks to my companion. She had a way with us kids.
Rev. Joiner could tell those Bible stories. Seems like he covered every character in the Bible the years I attended, then they snatched me out to help with classes when I reached middle school. That was a mistake. I had so much to learn. Still the impact on a young girl about the responsibility of being a teacher was real. I learned from the adults I listened to and in my young mind wanted to be like so many of them.
Mrs. Hall, our educational director’s wife, was my favorite. I saw Jesus every time I was around her. “I want to teach just like her when I grow up.” These thoughts motivated me to work hard on my job as recreation leader. She taught me you could teach as you played games. Yet in some ways we teach every day of our lives. We learn more by what people do than what they tell us.
Mark it down. People either see Jesus in us or they don’t. Hundreds of kids have seen Jesus by their leaders in Bible schools this summer. And that’s why one day they will be writing about you or using you as an example.
“Here comes Paul again.” I’m glad she stayed on this man. He knew how to get through the storms of life. God was real in his life. Were it not for the knowledge of his life and the life of Jesus that Mrs. George taught, I could not reach out and touch the hand of God.
Keep on teaching, each one of you, in any capacity. Serve with gladness. God is in charge of your Hall of Fame. Your name will be written there.
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