Teacher

 

Everything and everyone can be a teacher—

Not a career educator—

But a teacher—

One who teaches something.

 

A few months ago, I was taking a weekend theology course,

And one of the participants dominated the class.

She had a story for everything,

Spoke as if she knew it all, and

Tried to argue with the professor on what he was teaching,

When clearly she didn’t understand.

It got to the point that I stopped listening when she spoke

And instead tried to steady my breathing and breathe out grace.

It didn’t work very well,

But I still tried.

When Joe The Counselor asked about the weekend,

I didn’t respond with the ways in which the professor had challenged me

Or the things that I had learned.

Instead, I spoke about the annoying woman

And how much she had gotten under my skin.

Joe said, “She was your teacher.”

She was teaching you patience and humility.”

I said, “I don’t think I learned anything.”

And yet, I understood.

Anytime we are put into a situation in which we are uncomfortable,

We are given the opportunity to practice the skills in which we are lacking.

 

Most recently, I went gem mining.

I bought the bucket of dirt and shared it with the two kids I was with.

As they excitedly scooped dirt into their sifters and found gem after gem,

I noticed myself feeling unsettled.

They were finding more gems than me,

And they were going much faster than me.

“I hope they’re not throwing away gems,” I thought.

“I bought that bucket,” I thought, “I should get all the gems.”

“What in the world, Deaton?” I responded to myself.

“You have done this tons of times. You have a whole bucket of gems at home that you’re doing nothing with. They are having a great time! They are experiencing the joy of what you love so much. Why are you being like this?” I scolded myself.

“Oh…The kid in you is jealous…” I realized.

And then I was able to soothe that kid and return to the somewhat reasonable adult that I am.

Almost immediately, those two kids and that bucket of dirt had become my teachers.

 

 

Who or what are your teachers these days?

What are they teaching you?

 

Oh God: When we feel uncomfortable. When our thoughts start going into negative space. Help us to stop and be curious. Help us to ask ourselves what teachers are trying to teach us and help us to discern what lessons we need to hear and practice. We will never completely conquer patience. Or humility. Or jealousy. Or anger. Or pride. Or any other vice or virtue. So help us to remember your love and grace as we practice living into goodness. And God? Help us not to miss that goodness…for goodness abounds…even in the midst of our deepest shortcomings and stupidities…goodness abounds. Amen.