When someone asks me, “What’s your occupation?” I reply, “I’m a grade four teacher.”
I don’t say, “Ringleader of the circus in Grade 4A.”
“Zookeeper.”
“Part time mom of 15 nine year olds.”
“Babysitter, mentor, nurse, peacemaker, and in general, chaos coordinator.”
People don’t expect to hear those things… so I describe my role as “teacher.” Because teacher is a commonly used word to describe the tallest person in any given elementary classroom.
(It’s also a lovely, professional-sounding term for the job – a job which is really more like an unpredictable adventure you get to embark on every day. 😉)
Heads nod. “Ohhh, you teach school. Nice.”
So yes. I teach.
I prep oodles of lessons, explain concepts, guide discussions, correct mistakes.
But I’m really just the student with the largest desk.
Teaching means passing knowledge on to others. Sharing truths. And sometimes, they teach me.
They spout comments that are packed with wisdom. They ask questions that challenge me to examine what I believe, and why. I never know when I answer a raised hand just what I’ll hear…
Recently I was attempting to teach a science lesson on the human ear. Amid an extreme case of giggles affecting the class (apparently ears – specifically the auricles – are incredibly hilarious), I saw a hand raised that was not accompanied with that mischievous twinkle.
Hoping to get the lesson back on a more orderly foot, I called on that student. The question was much more serious than I had expected.
“Why would God not design someone’s ear to work right? If He doesn’t make any mistakes, why does He make deaf people?”
Ouch. Swallow. I walked to my desk and sat on the front edge of it before answering.
(That’s my position for deep discussions. Out from behind my podium or desk, no barriers between us… sitting down as one of them. By sitting on my desk, I still have a bit more height so I assume the role of leading the conversation, without appearing too authoritative.) *And yes, I have been told I overthink things!😄
My mind was spinning. She said, “IF.” “If God doesn’t make mistakes, why…”
The class leaned forward in anticipation. Me sitting on my desk was a signal that were going to spend some time off topic… I’m opening a class discussion on a side lesson I feel is important. And they were all waiting for an answer.
These children had no idea what I was dealing with that day. That their teacher was also wondering why God allows bad things, when He is good. But a child in my class has asked “if God doesn’t make mistakes, why…?”
It wasn’t about the human ear, or deafness. This question mattered, because there was an if where there should have been an absolute. As a Christian educator, I am called to teach the truth about God.
But really? “God, You want me to teach this concept… now?”
I realized I’d been asking the same question and not facing it. Denying it’s existence in my heart, instead of wrestling with it as I should. And now, a roomful of expectant faces waited for my answer, and I knew with conviction there was only one thing I could tell them.
But how could I explain it, while wrestling with it in so much pain myself?
I took a deep breath, asked God to provide words, opened my mouth and plunged in.
“First of all, I want you all to know that God does not make mistakes. Ever. There’s no if… God makes no mistakes.”
Faces relaxed. They’d been taught this, and their childlike impression of God’s character was just reaffirmed by someone they trust. (This role allows me to impact children so much it’s terrifying! They believe whatever I say – I need to speak carefully, wisely, and truthfully!)
But I couldn’t leave the answer there. I’d clarified the “if”, but it would soon be back if I didn’t explain the “why?”.
I found myself explaining how God originally designed everything to be perfect. We went back to Eden, and then the fall of man. “If everything would be perfect now,” I went on, “then we’d still be in Eden. It’s because of us, our sin, that things aren’t perfect.”
“But one thing didn’t change, and that is God’s love for us. We have to live in a broken world now, where bad things happen, people die, plants decay, and yes, sometimes babies are born deaf. But God doesn’t leave us to live through it alone. So when He plans each life, He sees where the imperfections are. He sees the parts that will hurt us and be difficult for us, and He writes His love into every line of story. He never allows anyone to experience something that He isn’t strong enough to help them handle – He plans exactly how much we each can manage, and faithfully carries us through the life He gives to us. So although bad things do happen, they aren’t just random. God is in control, and He loves us enough to help us through all the hard things we face. When God allows a hard thing, it is never a mistake – He plans every detail of our lives carefully and lovingly.”
I don’t know how much they understood… or if they’ll remember this in the middle of their young adulthood struggles 10 years from now. I hope that the concept will at least remain and build their faith.
But I think God allowed that question for me. By forcing me to pause and face that question, knowing I would struggle to answer it myself… He spoke through me to my students when I asked Him to, and therefore impressed the truth on my aching heart as well.
God never makes mistakes.
The girl who adamantly said that teaching is the last occupation on earth she would consider… was taken on a bumpy career journey which eventually landed her behind a teachers desk.
Years later, in a difficult season, she finds herself being taught the truths her heart needs through the precious students God placed in her life.
Yes, He had it all planned to place me right here, this moment. Every event, both painful and good, contributed to God’s perfect plan for my life… and this will continue as He writes my story.
Because I can say and believe with joy,
God never makes mistakes!
Notes from My Heartsong 