PRAY - GIVE - GO!

I have worked with at-risk children and youth for over 21 years in south Stockton, California. I have worked as a Stockton Police School Resources Chaplain in the public schools for over 10 years now.

The story that you are about to read plays out every day someplace in our city, county, state, and country. I have seen it, I have experienced it. Be the difference to an "at-risk" child.

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If you are a public school teacher, Sunday school teacher, or a youth worker of any type, read the story that follows:

There is a story of an elementary teacher who stood in front of her class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat was a student, dirty, rude, and out of control.

The teacher had watched the student the year before and noticed that he didn’t play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. The student could be very unpleasant.

It got to the point where the teacher would take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X’s and then putting a big F at the top of his papers.

At the school where the teacher taught, she was required to review each child’s past records and she put this student’s papers off until last. When she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. 

The students first grade teacher wrote, “this is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners…he is a joy to be around.”

His second-grade teacher wrote, “this is an excellent student, well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.”

His third-grade teacher wrote, “His mother’s death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn’t show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren’t taken.”

The fourth-grade teacher wrote, “the student is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school. He doesn’t have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class.”

By now, the teacher realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for this one student. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. 

The teacher took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. She stifled the children’s laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.

The student stayed after school that day just long enough to say, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.” After all the children left she cried. 

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. This teacher started paying special attention to this student.

As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive the more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, the student had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, this troubled student became one that truly stole her heart. A year later, she found a note under her door telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from the student. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he’d stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He again assured the teacher that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor’s degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his entire life. (author unknown)

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The children and youth we work with in south Stockton, many people consider them throw away kids. Many people believe they have no hope, that they will continue the cycle of alcohol and drug addiction or the gang life. How will change happen if we (you and me) don't teach them another way to live? 

Many people are afraid to invest what it takes to impact one of these lives. Are you willing? If so, ask me? 

Pastor Bob Margaron - [email protected]

PRAY - GIVE - GO!