Teachers Judged With Greater Stictness

 In James 3:1 it says,

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.  

But why are we held to a greater strictness?  I think there are three main reasons.  Today I will talk about the first one.

Lasting Imprints, Good or Bad

For a long time it scared me that teachers would be judged with greater strictness.  I felt like I barely had a prayer as it was.  Now I look at that verse with an understanding of what a powerful statement that is.  Teachers will be judged with a greater strictness because we have the potential of tremendous impact.  Teachers are shaping a generation of kids and giving kids their first impression of education, of teachers, and of themselves.  Teachers have the ability to impact students and how they see themselves and their abilities.  

I remember someone sharing a confession with me one day.  He had a patient that told him she was a preschool teacher.  

He said, “To be honest, I wasn't impressed.”  

I said, “Oh it isn't as prestigious as a high school teacher or a college professor?”  

He said, “Right, but then I realized how much more important the preschool teacher is because everything in high school and college is dependent on the preschool or kindergarten teacher.  They teach them the skills they need to learn everything else.”  Of course, I agreed with him.  Teachers are judged with greater strictness because they have great impact!

I had been tutoring a former student over the summer.  I think it was already an adjustment for him to come into my home, meet my husband and see pictures of my children and grandchildren all over the walls.  He was kind of nervous the first time he came over.  After our first session his mom texted me to let me know how he felt about our time together.  His response was, “I wish she could be my grandmother!”  At first, I was taken aback.  To be honest it made me feel old that that was what he shared, but then I was flattered.  I would be honored to be his grandmother!  Then a few weeks later I sort of blew it!

Every week Noah and I each brought a word to start off our session.  It could be a word that we thought was interesting or funny or taught us something new.  Well, on that particular day he didn’t have a word so I said, “You know you can play with words, too.”  He gave me a confused look.  

I told him that when I was young one of my aunts used to always say, “You have freckles on you, but you're pretty” or you could say, “You have freckles on your butt, you're pretty.”  As soon as it came out of my mouth, I knew I shouldn’t have said it!  I grew up thinking it was funny.  My grandchildren think it is hilarious but this little guy looked at me like, I can’t believe Mrs. Boggess just said that!

When his mom came to the door, I sent my student on to the car and I said, “I have a confession to make to you.  I think of Noah as one of my grandchildren and I crossed a line today.  I shared what had happened and the look that was on his face and she busted up laughing.  She hugged me and said, “You are so ok!” and then she laughed some more.

In the whole scheme of things, that was nothing but it reminded me of the impression I can make and how careful I have to be.  I will make lastly imprints no matter what so I need to make sure they are good ones.  One of my favorite verses is, 

Remember those who led you

who spoke the word of God to you;

and considering the result of their conduct, 

imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13:7 (NASB)

My faith needs to be worthy of being imitated.  I try to remember that when I walk into a classroom, when I talk on the phone to my daughters and when I spend time with my grandchildren.  Is my faith worthy of being imitated?

In Luke 6:40, we are reminded of our responsibility,

A disciple is not above his teacher, 

but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

I have to ask myself, "Do I want my students to be like me?"  This strictness I am held to is an honor and an honor I take seriously.

The Final Goodbye

We said goodbye when Mom no longer could understand driving, money, or how to get out of her apartment.  We said goodbye when she left adulthood, young adulthood, the teenage years and  even childhood.  We said goodbye when she no longer knew us or the grandchildren or the great-grandchildren.  We have said many goodbyes as we have walked the road of dementia with my mother-in-law but this last goodbye leaves me speechless.

Over the last twelve years we have been called to run to Mom's bedside to say goodbye but she remained strong.  For a number of years we made certain decisions based on being afraid to leave town because we wanted to be there for her if she passed.  After three years of end stage dementia, the time has now come and it just doesn't seem real.

When my father-in-law died suddenly in a car accident, the emotions were overwhelming.  When my father died nine days after a diagnosis of cancer, I didn't think I would ever stop crying or feel "normal" again.  This loss is different and hard to work through the feelings.  It feels like Mom passed away three years ago and we went to the funeral home several days a week to make preparations and it is only now that we can have her memorial.  She was in a fetal position, weighing between 65 and 70 pounds for the last three years, unable to speak.  

It will take me weeks, months or possibly years to process this goodbye.  I have not cried as much as I thought I would but my stomach is all in knots.  I am glad she is no longer suffering but I sure will miss her presence on this earth and in our lives.  She added so much love and laughter.

Bill and I have been through a number of scenarios with aging parents and loss.  Each of them have been hard in different ways.  We will be teaching our course, "Aging Parents and Loss" at the end of October and early November at our church.  We look forward to sharing the things we have learned along the way and the opportunity to come alongside others walking the same road.  There are many sorrows to walk through but many joys to embrace.  If you are on this journey and need someone to listen, feel free to reach out to us at gracewithoutmargins@aol.com.