A Devotional

¹³Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples scolded the people. ¹⁴ When Jesus noticed this, he was angry and said to his disciples, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ I assure you that whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ Then he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on each of them, and blessed them.  Mark 10: 13-16

As a teacher to children with special needs, I am frequently told by my colleagues, “You have a crown of gold stars.” or “One day you’re going to be up there with the big JC!”  My response?  Not really…you see, teaching children with special needs does not make me special.  I am no different than any other teacher – my calling is just different.  When I first began studying special education, it was my goal to be a general education teacher.  I was told by my advisor, that if I took special education classes that 80% of the classes were general education classes.  I could easily pass the Praxis and become a general education teacher.  She was right.  I aced the Praxis in both general and special education.  However, what I didn’t know was that God had a plan and a purpose for me in the field of special education.

When moving to Las Vegas, I had difficulty getting a job – any job—in teaching.  One day, I found myself on my knees and asking God to help me find a job that would glorify Him.  Ten minutes later, the call came in – the one that would change my life forever. I would be working with elementary children who had autism.   My life would never be the same again.  My first two years were essentially a baptism by fire.  But as we know, God doesn’t call the equipped – he equips those He calls.  By my third year, not only was I loving my job but I was thriving in it; as were the children who were under my care.  I do not say that to boast but merely, to point out what a miracle I was – for I was the one who had grown throughout this experience.  You see, I was not the blessing to these children; rather, they were the blessing to me.

This year, I have moved on to a different assignment; high school students with severe learning disabilities, autism and emotional difficulties.   Each one special and unique, not because of their disabilities but because of their remarkable abilities.   I pray that through me, He is touching each and every one of them personally. 

Almighty Father, we ask that you bless all children in this world.  Lord, we know that we are all special to you for you knew the number of hairs on our head before we were even born.  We ask that you reach out to these special children; that you place a role model in their life that will serve to be an example of what it means to be a follower of Christ.  We pray that through these servants, they will see the face of Christ, your own Holy Son.  We ask that all gifts of teaching are used according to your plan and purpose and that each of these children live out their lives, using their unique gifts for Your glory.  We praise your Holy and Righteous Name.  We ask for all of this in the name of your precious Son, Jesus Christ, Who is our Teacher.  Amen.