For blog readers and facebook stalkers: I have to regularly write creative-ish snippets for our Americorps "Reflection Log" and this is my latest. I'm not sure how it is going to go over since Americorps is supposed to be kind of like the Peacecorps a-religious a-political stance, but I thought I'd share it with the rest of the world in the hopes that some people would appreciate it!!!
(We talked in our training last Thursday about how, no matter how hard you try not to get attatched to students, you are going to find yourself wishing you could just take some students home with you. However, the fact is, you HAVE to let them go at the end of each day and try not to spend all evening worrying about them. I know this poem is not "politically correct," but, when you come to believe in and know God in a personal way, you can't keep Him out of any area of your life, including your work. Quite frankly, the one thing that keeps me from driving myself crazy worrying is knowing that I can offer up my prayers for the students who concern me most!)
"A Preschool Teacher's Prayer"
The clock has ticked to 2:15,
Another day comes to an end.
I'm zipping coats, tying boots
And hugging goodbye my little friends.
I'll see them all again tomorrow
But until the morning light
It's only up to You, God,
To watch over them tonight.
For the girl who comes each morning
Who's so pretty and so smart,
But looks so sad, tired and hungry
That it just wrecks my heart:
If nobody notices,
Tonight when she comes home,
Will You please put Your arms around her
So she won't feel so alone?
And for the boy with the sweet smile
Who's parents just can't make ends meet,
Will You keep them warm on this cold night
And please make sure they eat?
And the one who's scared to come to school,
God, please let her know
That 'though the chemo took her hair
She's still so beautiful.
You have a universe to run,
But You care for the sparrows to,
So if I care for these little angels,
Then, I'm sure, so do You.
I'd take them all into my own home
If that were something I could do,
But until they're safe with me again,
God, I lift them up to You.
