Counselor’s Corner - April 17, 2023 Issue

Dear Teacher,

During today's travel and airport layovers, I received a message from my 11-year old daughter.  In describing her adventures during today's first day of Spring-Break, she wrote the following:

"We went to see caverns.  They were awesome!  Our tour guide was so nice.  She was funny, too.  We saw total darkness when she turned off the lights.  She didn't turn the lights back on and we freaked out.  Then she turned on the lights and said, "Just kidding."  There was a really narrow part that daddy wasn't almost able to fit!  All the rocks were gooey!"

I laughed at her description, which seems especially timely considering the upcoming Earth Day (see "Teacher Tips" for easy resources for your classroom).  The thought of narrow crevices and moist stones left me giggling... and thinking.

How often do we as educators get thrown into a deep mental health pit?  Often we feel alone there, stuck and unable to climb out.  And worst of all, in the depths of anxiety or depression, very little hope seeps through.  We can easily experience total darkness.  

However, in those cave-moments, God shows up.  Just like Elisha running from Ahab and Jezebel, you may be struggling to survive.  You may be in the battle of your life.  You may have wicked people (i.e., Parents, school board members, stakeholders) that are out to get you.  But God will come to you in your dark depths.  1 Kings 19:9 shows that Elijah "came to a cave where he spent the night.  The Lord spoke to Elijah, saying to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'"

And His question to you is the same.  "What are you doing here, Teacher?"  He calls you out of your cave.  He calls you into the light.  He calls you not just to survive, but to thrive!

So during Mays' Mental Health Awareness, focus on your own wellbeing.  What do you need to step out of the cave and come into the light?  He's calling you from your depths.

Climbing down into your cave to be with you,  
Mindy Salyers
Christian School Counselor