School Starts Today

When I taught middle school I came across a poem that I taped to my desk. It runs through my mind every year at the first of school.

School starts tomorrow, Lord, and I'm nervous.
Ease my anxiety.
Give me confidence,
and let my confidence give the children security.

School starts tomorrow, Lord; make me ready.
You have given me a job to do
and the ability to do it well.
You have given me your promise that you will never leave me.
And you have guided me in all my preparation.
So now let me face tomorrow
eagerly and unafraid
for ultimately my confidence rests in this:
"I am raedy for anything
through the strength of the one who lives in me" Phil. 4:13

While I don't teach children anymore, I still feel some of the same anxiety. Since I have been on sabbatical, I haven't taught in 8 months. I so want this year to be different.

Dear Great Teacher,
Teach me to teach like you, to love like you, to care like you. Let me walk only in your wisdom and knowledge. Give me your strength and wisdom as I face this new day of teaching.