I had one particular boy in my class who hated being in school and who made sure everyone around him would feel the same way. He would create havoc from Tuesday on hoping to be suspended so he could stay at home. He would throw chairs and tables across the classroom, shouting and screaming and refusing to participate, or even be still. One Tuesday his behaviour was particularly bad and so I had to go to the office and ask for his parents to be called.
The boy came up to me and kicked me as hard as he could with his steel pointed shoes. It hurt. It really, really hurt. Years of teacher training and many more years of classroom experience seemed to disappear.
I wanted to hit him back, I was tired and in pain and he had been an ongoing drain on everyone for a very long time. I had had enough and I didn’ t care anymore about the consequences. That’ s when I prayed, a short help me prayer and God held my hands so I didn’ t react the way I felt. Instead, I was able to be the teacher I wanted to be and deal with the situation calmly and kindly one more time. Now I look back and feel ashamed of how I felt, but relieved at how I responded. Thank you for helping me when I was out of patience God.
Prayer is for all circumstances and all times.