It's a Mystery to Me

Yes I know I haven't updated my blog in months.  I do apologize that I haven't shared bits of my life on here.  Quick update, I had a great Christmas with my family who came to visit me.  I had fun watching my Dad's fascination with the train systems in Europe and my brother's fascination with the gross Bier in Germany.  Needless to say, school has consumed my life in the beginning weeks of this new term.  I probably should be doing something on my massive to-do list rather than writing this blog such as writing report cards, planning a class assembly, or organizing a school charity event.  I have been laying low over the last month but here's a note to say that I'm still alive and kicking.

Last week, I was sent home sick for two days.  I left suddenly without informing my students of me being ill.  As soon as I left, rumours spread like wildfire in my class that I had gone back to Uganda.  (Not a bad assumption.  Just a little farfetched).  The following day, word had it that I was sick... with the Ugandan flu.  (I will give my students credit for understanding how much I love Uganda).  From all of this, I have come to the conclusion that my students find my life incredibly enthralling.   I beg to differ but evidence of their intrigue in my personal life proves differently.

I have had many encounters of genuine yet intrusive questionings with my students in the last while.  They are smart enough to know I don't live at the school (even though some days that seems to be the only place I find myself at).  I don't blame them for their curiosity though.  I mean I spend a lot of time with them.  I always was excited to see or hear about my teachers outside of school life.  I remember when my elementary school music teacher was on my parents' baseball team.  It was like heaven coming to earth.  Coolest thing ever in the eyes of a six year old.  Wouldn't my students want to inquire into the mysterious life of their teacher just a little bit? I mean, they are at an IB school after all.

Here are some prodding interrogating scenes from my life as a primary teacher:

The Classic:  "How old are you?"
I have managed to keep this one a secret and intend to keep it that way.  They have tried to ask me what year I was born but they are smart enough to calculate that out now.  Guesses range from ages 16 to 38.  My partner teacher was not so lucky on this one.  One teacher let it slip in front of some students and by lunchtime all the kids had it stamped into their brains.  She received  a lovely card reminding her of her age on her birthday in big bright numbers!

"Do you live in a house or in a hotel?"

"Are you married?"
Now imagine getting asked this question while in the middle of leading a whole school assembly by yourself, with parents present.  THAT HAPPENED!

"But I thought you were a mom?"
Me:  "Where on earth did you get that absurd idea from?"
Student:  "You showed us pictures of your son."
Me:  (pause) "Oh, you mean my sponsor child."
Student:  "What is a sponsor child?"
Me:  "It's where I give donations to a child in another country who needs some help to live.  So I guess he is kind of like my son.  I see what you mean now."
Student: "But he came from your tummy right?"
Me: (face palm)

So this might be hilarious and all but it does give us a bit of a lesson, doesn't it?  Clearly my students are watching my every move.  It reminded me of a professor I had in University.  She once asked our class what we thought her religion was.  After an uncomfortable silence, my classmates began to shout out "Buddhist", "humanist", and "Atheist" among other things.   A shock to some, the woman shared with us that she was a Christian.  No one guessed that.  This got me thinking what would happen if I were to ask this question to anyone I knew.  Would they confidently be able to tell me that they knew I was a Christian?  Is it easy to see through my actions and words, that I live a life that reflects the very essence of Jesus and His ministry on Earth?  I wonder if there is a huge question mark when it comes to how I live my life.  I would be devastated to think that no one outside of the church knew what I believed.  It would be as if I was missing the whole point all along.  To follow Jesus is to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Jesus. (Micah 6:8).  It is to freely forgive one another and offer grace and mercy where you might think it shouldn't ever be given. (Ephesians 4:32) It is to turn the other cheek when you are being persecuted for what you believe in (Luke 6:29).  It is to step away from the things of this world and draw close to those things that are good, perfect and acceptable (Romans 12:2).  It is to live in utter surrender to a God that is both an almighty protector and a gentle compassionate friend  (Deuteronomy 33:27).  It is to not partake in unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them and be a lamp that shines Light into those dark places (Ephesians 5:11 & Luke 8:16).  A life of following Jesus should not be a mystery and that's my application for you.

Peace & love