Counselor’s Corner - Issue 39

Dear Mary's and Joseph's,

It was chaos, those last days ticking down to Jesus' birth. Hurried travel (no strategic packing here!). Throngs of people in line for miles (DMV x 1,000!). No rooms (or suites, or studios) anywhere! That first Christmas season was overwhelming and might have looked like as crazy as this modern-day Mary and Joseph in 2020.

And likely you, there in your classroom, have all-consuming chaos in these last weeks before Christmas. Hurried lesson plans (no strategic planning here!). Throngs of students in line for help (PTSD x 1,000!). No room (for thinking, breathing, or self-care) anywhere. Almost certainly this Christmas season is overwhelming and looks as crazy as this 12 Days of Christmas for Teachers.

Yet, in all that hustle and bustle, Mary does something profound. We often skim over it as we cruise past the shepherds and onto the wise men. But there she is in Luke 2:19. "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Pondered?!?! What a crazy thing to do on the heels of the chaos of extended travel, natural childbirth, and unexpected visitors! But still, there she sits, quietly pondering the treasures that have been gifted to her. Those months preceding Jesus' birth weren't what she envisioned for him. No baby shower, no hospital delivery, no nursery. But there she is, "taking time to sort through and lift out the things that mattered most, the things she wanted to remember and treasure" (Tamara Fortner, Christian Parenting).

These preceding months leading up to December have probably not been what you've envisioned for the school year, either. No happy post-Covid reunion, no eager learners devouring knowledge, and no enhanced gratitude from parents toward educators. It's been chaos. And yet, amidst it all, can you take a step back and ponder? Sort through and lift out the things that matter most. Realign your 'call to teaching' to the 'tug on your heart.' Listen to Holy Spirit nudges, body aches, and brain conflict. Then identify what you want to remember and treasure. This Christmas season, I hope that you will PONDER.

Your Not-So-Wise-Woman,
Mindy