Core Scripture: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)
Message: I had the privilege of attending the KANAAE Conference this past Wednesday in Manhattan, Kansas. It was a refreshing time to connect with like-minded colleagues and hear from amazing speakers. I was so blown away by Jim Cosgrove, aka Mr. Stinky Feet, that I asked his permission to share his message with you. He readily obliged!
Something happens to us as we get older. We lose a bit of childish innocence. We get too serious. Wonder and awe are lost. We miss out on opportunities to experience something called joy. Being joyful is different from being happy. Happiness is based on what happens to you, and many times these happenings are outside your control. But not joy.
Joy is a choice!
We can choose to be joyful, even in the hard times. Take Paul for example. He was in prison when he wrote Philippians, yet he still says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Jim Cosgrove knows this, too. He had a simple tangible recipe to find that joy. My hope is that you can take these tips to rediscover joy in your teaching life. Who knows … you might even master your own joy.
- Love. Put love into everything. Love the ones that are tough to love. Do what you love, and love what you do. 1 Corinthians 16:14 says it best: “Let all that you do be done in love.”
- Smile. Lighten up a little. It is so much better to have wrinkles in the corners of your eyes as opposed to frown wrinkles above your brow. Joy can be the source of your smile, but sometimes just smiling can bring you joy.
- Give thanks. Jim Cosgrove keeps a gratitude journal. At the end of each day, he writes down a list of things he is thankful for. When you reflect on the joys of life, your life becomes joyful. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- Play. It is okay to have fun with your students. Laugh with them. Tease them a bit. Even jump in and dance with them. Last week at our Jumpstart, I got out and did the Just Dance video with my 6th graders. Not my finest moment, but I enjoyed myself!
- Practice self-care. You know that old saying about putting your oxygen mask on first? Do it. What you put into yourself is what comes out. Be leery of the media you take in at home. Take time to be still. And never underestimate the importance of taking your sabbath.
To be frank, this is a difficult time of year for me to be joyful with Daylight Savings gone. But if I look for the good around me, living out Philippians 4:8, I can experience joy. I encourage you to do the same.
Challenge: Choose joy above all else.
Bible study: Read the following scripture and journal or discuss what God lays on your heart.
- “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” (James 1:2)
- “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
- “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
Prayer points: Lift up the following areas to the Lord …
- Praise God for the joy He puts in our life every day.
- Pray that we can flush out negativity with the positive.
- Pray that the joy we show can infect others.
Just for fun: A kid raised his hand last week asking what an equal sign with a line through it meant. Even this ELA teacher was able to answer that one! I cleared my throat and said, “Not equal.” Then everyone just stared at him.
Prayer: Father, help us discover joy in our classrooms. Amen.
The Teacher's Devotional 
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