It's What I Do

 Thursdays are always interesting days, as is every day, but Thursday is the day that I teach piano lessons. At the end of every Thursday, I like to reflect on the day.

 I teach piano all day.

 That's about it.

I used to think teaching was just my job. I liked doing it and I learn alot from it. When I look deep, I realize that teaching is so much more than a job. It's a ministry. It's a service to my King... and I LOVE it! For a half an hour every week I get to invest in my students lives. I get to share in their struggles, frustrations and glories as they learn the art of music.

A couple of months ago, I had a student that had to quit. I had lost students before but this one was different. This student had taught me what it meant to perservere when tired, to give when I was exasperated, to be gracious when frustrated, and to celebrate triumphantly when victory was achieved. We had spent many trying hours together and conquered even more hurdles and mountains. At our last lesson, I was fighting tears. I'm not usually a very emotional person. I tend to keep it all in, which is helpful in emergencies, but that night I could barely keep the tears in. As our lesson came to a close, she looked up at me and said, "Kaila, you are the best teacher ever!" and she hugged me, something she rarely ever did. I cracked as soon as the front door closed.

It was then that I realized the true depths of teaching. When I teach, I am not just telling my students how to read music. I am teaching them to worship God with their music. I am instilling in them a gift that Lord willing, they will never forget.

I only have a half hour with them each week (and let me tell you, those half hours sometimes feel like five hours). I have a limited amount of time to make my mark in their lives before it's time to move on.

But, oh how I LOVE It!

It is one of the most blessed, fulfilling callings, under that of being a sister, daughter and follower of Christ.

I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Piano teaching...

It's what I do.

Piano teacher...

It's what I am.

Friend...

It's someone I strive to be.

Missionary...

It's what I love being, even from my wooden chair next to the piano bench.

My mission field is a dinning chair, in a place I call home, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Every oppertunity to share, every action, every word, they are all reflections of the life I have in Christ. I pray that all of my students will love Christ and will be drawn nearer to Him through the small time I have with each one of them.

“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”
Johann Sebastian Bach

It's what I strive to do.

In Christ,

Kaila

The Blessings of Teaching

"A good teacher is like a candle- it consumes itself to light the way for others." Anonymous

This is a quote that my mom shared with me last night. You see, I teach piano lessons. I have for several years now, and often I find myself wondering how it is, that God should choose me to be a teacher. I started teaching my younger sister when I was 11 years old and as the years have gone by God has allowed more and more students to come into my life. Just last night I started teaching two more kids. After their lessons were over I sat reflecting on the day, wondering why it is that God would bless me with the ability to teach and give me the joy of investing into others lives. I can't imagine what it would be like not teaching piano to all the girls and boys that I do. I mean, I love it so much that I greatly dread the day when I won't be able to do it anymore. As I look around and see the different paths that God has others follow I often wonder how God, in His sovereign power, decided that I would be the one He wants to teach these children. I remember times that I thought that I couldn't handle it anymore or that it was to hard, but God brought me through those hard times. Yes, there are days that I feel like that consumed candle, but God is good and He always brings in another candle to light the way for me.

There is just nothing like the joy of seeing a light bulb go on or seeing the beaming smile of a student who just played "The worst song in the whole world" perfectly. These are the joys of a teacher. If I didn't follow God's will for my life, then I would miss out on all of these simple joys that come with teaching.

So, there are days that seem like they will never end and there are nights where you feel like that burnt out candle; but if we are willing to obey God's will then when we "go out" He will send another candle to relight our flame.

Just as a side note, remember to tell your teachers how much you love their teaching. It is the hugest blessing to be told that you just made learning fun!