I can't quite believe we're already a month into the new school year. Or to put it another way, just a couple of weeks until the schools break up for Half-Term. Crazy....
We completed our twelfth Secondary School assembly of the Term so far, and I was so impressed by today's school with their communication; they had a venue change and emailed me last night to inform me, which was also followed up by a second email this morning. And on arriving at the school's reception, I was reminded for a third time by the receptionist! In contrast, it has been known for us to visit other schools to be met with a double-take by the teacher and an eye-rolling "Oh...is it TODAY you're coming in?". So, today we're feeling loved! We feel appreciated by staff most of the time, but today especially has shown how much of an impact it makes when the appreciation is shown. While none of us should set out to receive accolade and praise, we all know how lovely it is to get it. So, it got us thinking...
How valued do WE make students (and staff) feel when we see them in schools? Do we find time to ask students how their days have been? When we're mentoring, do we make space to ask specific questions so we can dig a little deeper? And how about a regular smile or door being held open - do we whizz through onto the next appointment in the day, or spend time to make eye-contact and have conversation?
It has been said many times over the years that we are showing Jesus before we've even opened our mouths. I trust that we feel valued every day because of the security we have in Christ. The job for us then, is to make sure we pass that on to everyone we meet.
It's lovely to be valued - so let's do the valuing...