How long does it take to create a masterpiece? For Michelangelo (No, not the Ninja Turtle), the answer was four years. In September of 1501, Michelangelo was commissioned to complete work on a large sculpture that was to be placed in a Florentine cathedral. Work was actually begun in 1466, but complications arose, and the sculpture was placed on hold until 1501. When Michelangelo began, the 14 foot, 6 ton statue was largely a block of marble. It wasn't until after four years of excruciatingly pain-staking work had taken place, a chisel here and a chisel there, that the masterpiece was unveiled. For anyone who has seen it in person, I think that they would say that it was worth the wait.
Well, I made it til the end, my friends. The last exam has been graded; the last parent has been met with. I'm done. When I was having my end of the year meeting with our principal and director, they asked me what one of my highlights from the year was. My answer was really easy: making it up til now is the highlight of all highlights. Think about it: I'm a waiter, y'all. I was in completely over my head, and it is only by the grace of God that I have made it this far. His grace moved through your prayers, so right after I get done thanking God, I move to thanking him FOR you. I have needed the body of Christ more than ever this year, and you have not let me down.
Now that I'm done, however, the question arises: what did I accomplish this year? Well, from the looks of the grades, not that much. A few kids shined all year. A few kids tanked all year. The rest of them just kind of milled around in the middle. What did I really accomplish? From the outside, it may appear that not that much happened, but I'm confident that there is more happening here than meets the eye. After all, if it took 4 years of painstaking labor to create the statue of David out of dead marble, why would I think that I can do any better with a child? Progress WAS made in the lives of these children, and I'm so grateful to God for it. Prayers were prayed for them, and the Gospel was shared with them. These things do not return void.
That's not all though, is it? While I was chiseling THEM, God was chiseling ME. I truly hope that you've seen a change in me during this year, and, if you have, please know that it is because God truly loves me too much to leave me the way that I am haha. Being chiseled and shaped is not always a pleasant experience, but I know that it is worth it. After all, I'm not being shaped into a piece of cold, dead marble, but into the living image of the sovereign king of the universe. When I see him face to face, I won't regret a single strike of the hammer.
Some ways to pray:
Protection for the kids: Pray that the seed that was planted in them is protected from the enemy, and pray that they are physically protected as well.
Pray for the teachers: Pray that we find rest physically, mentally, and spiritually. Pray that summer is not what we look to restore us, but rather that we all look to Christ as our true vine.
Pray for me: Pray that I use my time wisely this summer to become a better teacher and disciple maker.
I'm grateful beyond words for each and every one of you. I love you guys!
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