The Teacher

I kept the following poem taped to my desk or filing cabinet throughout my days in the classroom. It was my reminder that the children needed much more than me in order to thrive, and I needed the strength of the Father to survive.

The poem was written by Leslie Pinckney Hill prior to 1922. I thank Mr. Pinckney for the inspiration his words have provided to my heart.

Teachers and students are faced with tremendous challenges in today’s classrooms. If ever God’s strength and wisdom was needed, it is today.

Today, I dedicate this to all the teachers entering or ready to enter classrooms for a new school year.

May God grant grace each day of the journey.

THE TEACHERby Leslie Pinckney HillLord, who am I to teach the wayTo little children day by day,So prone myself to go astray?I teach them KNOWLEDGE, but I knowHow faint they flicker and how lowThe candles of my knowledge glow.I teach them POWER to will and do,But only now to learn anewMy own great weakness through and through.I teach them LOVE for all mankindAnd all God's creatures, but I findMy love comes lagging far behind.Lord, if their guide I still must be,Oh, let the little children seeThe teacher leaning hard on Thee.

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Isaiah 40:²⁹ He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.

³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

photo courtesy of Pexel