"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a
voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" (Is. 31:21 NIV)
We began this series on Monday with a story of how, as a student
teacher, I learned to love and respect my students, and this resulted in
them respecting me as well.
This next "Lesson From the Classroom" begins just after my student
teaching was completed. I was due to graduate with my MAT degree, but
because I was studying in Michigan on only a student visa, I would not be
allowed to take a permanent job as a teacher in the USA. Somehow I didn't
feel it was right to return to Europe, at least not then, and so I began
taking courses in computers and math. I figured these skills would serve me
well in the long run as a teacher.
During this time, I began to work as a tutor, teaching fellow students
in English. This whole tutoring experience was incredibly rewarding for me,
as I took great joy in helping them learn. It served to remind me that I
truly did want to make a career of teaching!
Summer came, and I decided to take some summer courses in math and
computers at a university on the west coast of Washington State. I enjoyed
my courses immensely, and it was with sadness that at the end of the summer
term, I began the long, cross-country drive back to Michigan. As my road
took me near the home of some good friends from my student days in France,
and I decided to stop off in eastern Washington State for a brief visit. I
was back on the road the next day, but you can imagine my surprise to arrive
back in Michigan to a message from my friends in eastern Washington: The
French teacher at the university where their father taught had quit, and
they were in desperate need of a French Teacher who could start in just two
weeks' time!
Of course I was interested; however, I didn't have a visa for teaching
in the USA. Nonetheless, the vice-president of the university flew out to
Michigan the very next day to interview me, and he ended up offering me the
job.
Apparently, something I didn't know was that my student visa allowed
me to work in the USA in my field of study for one year! As soon as I
learned this, I began to recognize the hand of God on my situation. I
accepted on the job offer, and a week later, I found myself back in eastern
Washington as the French teacher for the university.
I learned something vitally important through this situation: I could
trust my Heavenly Father to guide me into His will. I didn't need to do
anything at all except enter the doors that He opened for me. I thanked my
Father with all of my heart for this job.
What I didn't realize, however, was just how intricate God's plan was
for my life and how moving to Washington State was such a vital part of
it... But that's a story for next time!
Don't ever forget: God is in control and He loves you!
In His love,
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.