Labeling with Love: Embracing Grace in Challenging Moments

As we progress further into the school year, and as faculty, staff, administrators, parents and students alike start to settle in, we often find ourselves experiencing a higher volume of challenging situations. Whether it’s upset parents, increased behavioral concerns with students, a tough situation with colleagues, a student with mental health concerns, increased demands on our time, or the ever-evolving and always-growing to-do list… we may find ourselves running low on time, energy, or patience.

With all this going on, it can be increasingly challenging to keep the Fruit of the Spirit at the forefront in our dealings with one another and with the families and students in our care. During those times when we find ourselves battling the seemingly tyrannical demands of our ministerial roles, it can be all too easy to “label” the people the Lord puts in front of us… as an “irrational” parent, a “difficult” colleague, a “lost-cause” student… And because of our sinful nature, those labels often frame how we interact with these individuals as we work through challenges together. We might be quick to judge, short in our responses, passive in our approach. We may be quick to talk and slow to listen, because we’ve already decided in our minds how this should go.

How might our interactions change if we were to remind ourselves in those moments how we should be labeling these individuals? As Children of God (1 John 3:1a) in need of support, help, love, and understanding. The same support, help, love, and understanding we need daily from our Savior? This is extremely difficult! We mess this up all the time! But we humbly pray that the Lord work in and through us to show the same love He shows us as we work with the people He has put in our care. We pray that, in those tough moments, we be reminded of Christ’s example of humility (Philippians 2:1-10), and to make ourselves available to serve others even when we may feel too busy, too tired, or unsure of what we have to offer. Because we know that with the Lord, even when we might feel we have nothing left to give (or when we might feel we don’t have the desire to give anymore of ourselves), by prayer and supplication He will provide!

Prayer:

Lord, we thank and praise You for who You are and all You’re doing in our lives and in our ministries. In the midst of challenging situations, and when opportunities present themselves to show Your love to others, we consistently fall short. We are in desperate need of Your love and Your forgiveness, and we thank You for giving of these things so freely. We ask that when we are confronted with an elevated concern, a conflict, or a struggling student, that You give us the resolve, the patience, the humility, and the wisdom to care for the individuals in front of us. We pray that when we are tested, You work in us to handle the situations with grace and tact… that You would give us Your eyes, Your ears, Your heart, Your hands… to see people how You see them, to look past our own emotions or frustrations in those moments, and to show the love to others that is shown to us on a daily basis through Your Son. We ask all this in His holy name. Amen.

                                                             Steve Barillier, Orange Lutheran High School, Orange, CA