“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


(To view the entire “Lessons From the Classroom” devotional series, please click here.)