But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

(Psalm 3:3)

Real Glory in Education________________

Farah is a first grade teacher in Highland ISD, a small poverty stricken school district in West Virginia. She
is a master reading teacher and is able to relate her instruction to the real world and needs of her students.
Farah is also the Masters teacher. She facilitates a faculty prayer group which has met after school every
week for fifteen years. She helps participating staff members by relating esoteric biblical concepts to the
simple practical real world of education. God has called her to paraphrase some of the Psalms found in the
Bible to relate to educators. She shares them as devotionals at each meeting. The following poem was
inspired by Psalm 3. It is being presented in two parts due to its length.

Lord, on my job I have so much to do,

That in my constant seeking to please self and men
I have lost track of you
And where you want me to go,
What you want me to do here in the field of education
And what you want me to know.

Everyone, including my self, has an agenda for me -

The federal and state governments, the school board,
the superintendent, the directors of instruction, the principals,
my co-workers, the students, and their parents.
Beyond these responsibilities,
Before these responsibilities,
Its you my eyes and heart long to see
Standing before me with outstretched hands and tear stained face
Offering me your unconditional love and amazing grace.

On Sundays in church you are praised and all so powerful

And your presence I feel,
Yet when I walk into school I am told by a multitude of silent witnesses
With unspoken words that I am to ignore you,
That you are not real,
That you are not in control
And do not belong or have any power in this field.

Jesus, even in this field,

In the buses, hallways, classrooms, offices, playgrounds and gyms
YOU ARE a shield around us,
YOU ARE both within and here beside us.
It is your presence and our obedience to your calling,
Not our test scores,
That is your glory,
That is our glory.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your true glory, your presence in and around us in the harvest fields of education.
Reflections: When you or your school is praised for success in some professional area, do you ever give God the glory for this
success or do you personally take the credit? Why or why not?
Getting Real: When someone thanks or praises you for professional success or an accomplishment, humbly give God the credit and
glory. Acknowledge that it is the Lords presence in your life which allows you to be successful in your professional life.

CLASSROOM LIGHTHOUSE SERIES: Fields of Faith in Education (For info or prayer contact ceaihouston@sbcglobal.net.) WEEK 16