In 1642, a law was passed in Massachusetts that required parents to make sure children learned to read and write (Massachusetts Passes First Education Law). The same state passed another law in 1647 that required towns of 50 or more households to provide a teacher for the children (Schools took root early in Mass. | Massachusetts Teachers Association). This same law went on to require towns of 100 or more households to establish a grammar school. This is often referred to as the beginning of public education in America, and by the late 1800’s, the system began to look a lot more like what we experience today. Since then, educating our next generation has become an important part of the American way of life.
Our city of Marshfield began developing as a settlement (especially with the arrival of the railroad) in 1872. The earliest documented public school in Marshfield, WI, was established in the summer of 1873. Our communities first school was held on the upper floor of a grocery store, before building a school building in 1878 on the corner of Third and Chestnut streets and taught by Clara Davis. (History - Marshfield Made New) (Before the bell rang: Education takes root in Marshfield - Hub City Times)
Our city of Marshfield began developing as a settlement (especially with the arrival of the railroad) in 1872. The earliest documented public school in Marshfield, WI, was established in the summer of 1873. Our communities first school was held in the front room of a home, before building a school building in 1878.
Believe it or not, Marshfield began the community’s 153rd school year last week! Ready or not, it’s here! How are you doing with jumping back into school for another year of learning and teaching? Are you thinking:
“I’m exhausted before the year even begins.”
“I’m responsible for a room full of children.”
“I don’t know how I am going to reach so many children.”
“I’m carrying my students’ homelife burdens home with me.”
“I feel like nobody understands what teachers deal with.”
“I’m not even sure what I believe about God.”
May I offer hope today? The God who knows every student also knows every teacher, sees every burden, and cares deeply about every person in your school. You are loved. You are not forgotten and you are prayed for! Let’s briefly consider Psalm 139 this morning and study these same truths in the Bible.
God knows you completely (139:1-4)
“O LORD thou hast searched me and known me.” Teachers have no doubt spent weeks preparing lesson plans, learning all the students names, and planning the year to help each student grow and move forward into the next grade. You will continue studying your students personalities, strengths, weaknesses, struggles, and various needs. But who knows you? Who knows the teacher? God does!
I was in town a couple of weeks ago and overheard a man say to a woman, “How are you doing, honey?” Her response was immediate, “You don’t know me that well to call me that!”
What about us? With the burdens we carry, we often think or say, “No one knows me well enough to offer that criticism or advice!” Then who does? God knows you that well. God knows you better than you know you! He knows your personality. He knows your strengths and weaknesses. He knows the burdens you carry!
God sees what people don’t see (139:7-12)
“Where shall I go from thy spirit? Or where shall I flee from thy presence?” There are things that teachers will carry that students, parents, and even other teachers may not know. Teachers deal with our community’s mental health crisis, underage drinking, illegal drug use, pornography, and broken homes regularly. The weight of these things can be heavy. You can feel, at times, completely alone, but you are not alone.
3 brothers were in trouble with their father. To the oldest he said, “No sports for a week,” and the boy crumbled to the floor in despair. To the youngest he said, “No video games for a week,” and he too crumbled to the floor in the despair. To the middle child he said, “what’s your name again?” He too fell down in despair!
Look at these verses. God sees you and knows you! God’s presence is not limited to a worship center. God is there in the classroom, in the hallway, in the cafeteria, in the bus, and in the teacher’s lounge.
God has a purpose for your life (139:13-16)
“I will praise thee: for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” God intentionally created every person in your classroom.
I recently shared the story of a teacher who had her math students right down one thing they liked about each of their classmates. That night she complied all the descriptions the students included and handed each student a paper with just the things their classmates said about them. The impact was powerful! Years later, many of these students gathered together for a friend’s funeral who died while serving in the military. This man’s parents approached the now retired teacher, confirmed she was his teacher all those years ago, and showed her the worn paper found on his person. It was the list of kind things from math class. Others started to pull out their lists as well or share where it is kept in their home. The teacher broke down and cried. She had no idea of the impact she had on her students.
You are interacting every day with people God created. Every person who walks through the doorway of your classroom this year is a person of immense value, because each one bears the fingerprints of God the creator. In other words, your work is greatly significant and impacts others in powerful ways!
You can know God (139:17-18)
Yes, God knows you better than you know yourself. Yes, God sees you and has not forgotten you. Yes, God has a purpose for your life that is good.
God knows you completely, and He invites you to know Him.
As teachers, parents, and students, we can readily see the problem all around us. We have sinned against the one true God who created us (Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 3:10, 23), and we cannot make ourselves right with God through good works, church work, or just trying to be better (Eph. 2:8-9). Our sin has earned us eternal separation from God in the horrors of hell (Rom. 6:23). In truth, we have a sin debt we cannot repay, and we need other to pay the debt for us (Rom. 5:8). That is why God sent His son, Jesus, to earth some 2,000 years ago. He was nailed to a cross and shed His blood to cover our sins! He alone paid the sin debt we owe. All we must do is accept this gift He offers to all who believe (Rom. 10:9-10, 13). Will you accept His gift today?
God sees you, knows you, and has a good purpose for you. He cares about you and the people who fill your schools so deeply that He invites you to know Him. Come to Jesus today and live! Find hope in God!