Bonnie Parkin: BYU Feb. 13 Devotional

I was really touched by Bonnie Parkin's remarks in today's devotional (to be honest every time I have the chance to sit in and or listen to the weekly devotional I come away feeling a little more inspired - I guess the question then would be "why don't I make a more valiant effort to watch/ listen to every devotional and forum?!) At any rate, what I wanted to share was a quick smattering of my thoughts resulting from Sister Parkin's talk.

She first asked us to analyze our heart (in reference to Valentines day), asking "How's your heart?"

I don't think she only used this as an ice-breaker, I believe it tied nicely in with her message: "Never suppress a generous thought!"

I couldn't help but feel that she was directly talking to me, and that a lot of what she shared directly connects with teaching. Look at the following examples:

1.) She invited us to "go beyond our callings." Well, a good teacher goes beyond the 7:30 - 3:30 schedule, taking time to meet with students, supporting them in sporting events, plays, musicals, etc. (Not to mention really just being a teacher is going beyond your calling as a disciple of Christ. I honestly feel that it is a lot easier to go into industry, you will have a 9 - 5 type schedule, where you really won't have to deal with the legal, ethical, emotional part of life concerning 100s of other people.)

2.) Sister Parkin asked us "What is your personal ministry?" She continued this statement by stating that we are accountable for what we were entrusted with, and to which we promised to do. I really feel firstly as human beings, and second as Christians, we have a stewardship to reach out to others; I believe man is innately good - so let us do good. Secondly, as teachers you have a special stewardship and opportunity to work with and influence so many different people; it really is an amazing responsibility in terms of opportunity and magnitude. The sad thing is when teachers either don't realize this or forget it (due to time, politics, or laziness.)

3.) I felt that when Sister Parkin quoted the scripture when Christ was refuting the Pharisitical condemnation of His spending time with sinners "they that are whole need not a physician," that she really was referencing again what teachers are all about. Our responsibility is to reach out to each student, and be a physician in their lives (this is not easy - see my previous post), it's a burden, there is a fine line to walk, but it is necessary (think about the Moral Dimensions of teaching.)

4.) Personal ministries are all about love and relationships. This same formula works with teaching. Teaching (that is "good teaching") is all about love and relationships. You need to have a passion (a love) for teaching, for helping others, and create the appropriate relationships with students, parents, faculty, and staff that ensures a positive, effective, learning and growth atmosphere exists in your classroom and at your school. Many of your students will remember you for the rest of their lives and either draw strength and fond memories from your efforts and time spent with them, or they will forget you, not feeling that you offered anything of important to them (this will not always be simply academic things.)

5.) Finally, I appreciated Sister Parkin's invitation to put aside our selfish ways, to allow others to serve us - being willing to receive, and to be part of the answer to a prophet's prayer. Wow, what a wonderful invitation that not only suggests we can see a miracle in our own lives, but help work them in others.

I am proud to be a teacher, it is not easy, nor glamorous, but it is definitely worth it. BYU devotionals are great - no more missing.