These words have always been a source of comfort, a reassurance in life’s uncertainties. But that Wednesday afternoon, I would discover just how deeply I needed them.
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness. Matthew 25:21 When Students Do Nothing One of the most vivid frustrations of teaching—something that still sticks with me even after retiring—was seeing…
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2 Four years ago, I stepped back into my school building alongside my fellow teachers, returning for the first time since we’d left…
Living along the Texas coast, in a place named for its mighty trees, I’ve often marveled at how they’ve weathered fierce tropical storms and destructive hurricane winds. If you look closely, every mature tree bears scars—marks left by relentless storms, brutal summers, and the pests they’ve survived. But these scars aren’t just blemishes. They’re marks…
I began my last day at sea by going out on deck to watch the sun come up over the horizon. The air was thick with a salty mist, and the ship moved ever so gently with the rhythm of the waves. On a clear day, the sunrise can be quite dramatic, a burst of…
A single gesture can outlast the moment it’s given. The simplest kindness—a steady hand, a warm greeting, a bit of laughter shared—can echo long after, reshaping how someone carries their burdens. Small acts rarely make headlines, yet they often do the quiet, unseen work of lifting spirits and reminding us we’re never truly alone.
Like almost every senior, teachers are looking forward to the last day of school with great anticipation. Yes, it is graduation day for the senior class, but for most teachers, it is also their last full work day of the year. I know what you’re thinking. You imagine teachers running to their cars shouting a…
As I near the end of my 27th year in teaching, I have observed a recurring trend in the past several years of my career: Every April for the past 7 or 8 years, I have experienced an inner tug urging me to explore career opportunities beyond the realm of teaching. I’ve discovered that many…