We Finally Got the Message
© 1999 Don Rogers
Unfortunately our Sunday school class of girls and boys had a reputation that preceded us, mostly because the boys were rowdy. The girls for the most part sat quietly with hands folded and mouths closed during class time. It might have been different had we had an opportunity to express ourselves, but we were no competition for the boys.
Sunday school teachers lived in dread of our arrival. Many a teacher retired from service after one season with our class. When we got to junior high age nothing much had changed. The rambunctious boys had settled into sarcasm and the girls sat with hands folded and mouths closed in adolescent apathy.
Our teacher that year was rather quiet, but loving. She arrived every Sunday prepared to share the good news with her motley crew. Patiently she would chide the interrupters and speak to the blank faces before her.
One Sunday we were a little more rowdy that usual. Then we noticed that our teacher was silent. And then we noticed tears streaming down her face. When finally she spoke she said she only wanted us to know about Jesus and his love for us.
When I review in my mind the persons in my life who have made a difference I think of those who hold on to their convictions, those who exemplify hope, of a junior high Sunday school teacher who planted in me the seed of faith.