Today would be considered a light day. Only a haircut planned but it is an important one. My next oldest grandson is in barber college in Boise and I’ve been going to him for the past 6 months having him grow his experience of cutting hair with me. He’s needing some encouragement at this point so his mom tells me. I’m asking God to help me find words today that will do just that–encourage him. 

The fears of going into anything new, especially when one is thinking about your lifelong career, can be paralyzing. I sure know this! Thinking about what to say when I go today has brought about some of my own reflecting. When I was to begin my teaching career I was thrilled to get the job I did. The first day at the school, ahead of students arriving, I remember thinking, I’ve been planning to be a teacher since I was 9 or 10 years old. Now I’m here and I don’t have a clue what I’m actually suppose to do! The 5th grade teacher I had who inspired me to be a teacher, had retired. She gave me her collection of materials at the end of her year. I used these to put up my bulletin boards. From that point I was on my own. 

A few months into this first year I hadn’t slept this one night. I got up about 3:30 am and went to the school. I was determined I was going to make this work or I would find what God really meant for me to do. I had become discouraged questioning what I thought God intended for me. As those early hours progressed I put organization to all the piles I’d collected on shelves. As I did so, focus came into play and I saw the LIGHT. I never questioned my career again. That morning God showed me that He never makes mistakes. I may question, but He is my constant. This has remained true throughout my life. This is the message I want to pass along to a troubled grandson.