Written by: Patrick Hinson
I am blessed with a job where I get to be around young adults all day long. While some people might think this is the worst thing possible, my students and athletes provide me with endless amounts of joy and laughter. You never know exactly what you will encounter whenever you are around 13-18 year old’s each and every day. Most days they come into my classroom full of energy and enthusiasm to learn. Other days, some might come in and all they want to do is to sit there for the entire 90 minutes of class and do nothing. They are always full of stories and jokes and love for you to give them attention and listen to what might seem really important in their lives at that moment in time.
We normally start each class with a 3-4 minute video of something I found enjoyable (and clean) on the internet. There have been times where I grant requests if students send me a link and I am able to preview it the night before. This routine has almost taken on a life of its own! Even though it is only 4 minutes of class, you would think I have deprived them of a necessity of life when I am not prompt in starting class with this video. This routine has allowed them to see me in something other than a nerdy Biology guy who only likes to talk about science. I like to choose videos on topics which I find interesting. Some days it is acapella music videos, street magicians, harmless pranks, sky diving, etc… I have let them know this is a little insight into how my warped brain thinks, especially at night when I cannot sleep!! I work hard to develop a connection with each student in my class. They get to see some of what I like about life and then I make it a point to ask about their lives also. If they are in theater, then you will find me at a play sometime during the year. If they are in chorus, I will make it a point to go to a concert. Maybe they are a wrestler, one night you will find me in the gymnasium cheering on our wrestling team. The point is, as Zig Ziglar says, “They don’t care what you know until they know that you care!”
John 15:12 states: “12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” and John 15:17 says: 17 This is my command: Love each other. We have to be more PURPOSEFUL in our love for one another. As I stated last week in my sermon, many people are READY to love but we need to be AWARE of who needs our love. Just as children come into my classroom each and every day in a myriad of moods and personalities, I have to be AWARE of where they are and what they need. Some days they need all the love and attention I can give them and some days they are ready to give it right back to me. Either way, if I am not AWARE of their needs, it doesn’t matter what I know because they won’t be in any spot to learn it. I challenge you to make sure you are alert and aware of those around you and where they are in their lives. Many have become almost professionals at covering up their true feelings. The only way we can get them to let us know where they are is let them know that we truly care when we ask. Remember relationships matter!
