I play Mahjong with a group of women from Lutheran churches in Tulsa. One of our players is a young woman who teaches 8th grade in a public school. Kristin is amazing. She has a lot of patience, a great sense of humor and empathy for the situations her students are in at home and at school. She struggles with lack of materials and low pay as many of our public school teachers in Oklahoma do. But she is making such a difference in the kids’ lives!

So many of our LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission women are getting ready to begin a new school year this month. Many are blessed to teach at our Lutheran schools. Many are blessed to teach at public schools. All are blessed to be a blessing to the children they teach. I remember all of my teachers. Mrs. Hoover, my first grade teacher, eased my fears as a terribly shy girl starting school. Mrs. Gray, second grade, was a joy-filled teacher who also played piano and we sang a lot! Mrs. Grimsley taught us penmanship in 3rd grade. Mrs. Lemon in fourth grade was very strict. I thought I was going to have to confess to hiding Peggy Smith’s shoes in the ditch during recess until another child found them and returned them saving me the confession. And so it went through college—teachers making a difference and making a place in memories.

I’m sure a lot of you young moms will feel like I did. After seeing my oldest child on his first day of school waiting for the bus, seeing that huge bus pull up and the tiny child reach up the big steps, and see it drive off, I headed into the house and cried for half an hour. I know moms will be blessed if when their kids get off the bus there is an LWML woman waiting in their classroom!

I salute all of you LWML women who work or used to work in schools with children. As representatives of the love of Christ for children, who could be more important an influence on their lives outside of the home? I never had the patience to be a teacher. I’ve always admired those who could do that.

So, blessings to all of you who are getting ready to begin a year of school. You are important. You are appreciated. You are valued. You are a woman in mission!
I’m sending my youngest granddaughter to Kindergarten this year. You’re gonna need that patience!

Love, Patti

“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them (Mark 10:14-16).