This week has been “Teacher Appreciation Week.” In fact, today, Friday, May 6 is the last day of Teacher Appreciation Week. I understand there have been a few special treats around town that teachers have been able to enjoy. That’s cool!!! And they deserve every treat or form of appreciation they receive. Teaching is such an important profession. It is a profession and career that truly has the power to shape lives. In fact, who are the teachers that have shaped your life?
I think of Mrs. Phyllis Sorensen, she’s the first teacher I remember. She was kind and gentle. Then there was Mrs. Evans, the teacher at our country school. Boy, was she patient and hard working as she dealt with multiple ages and classes. There was Mrs. Reinesch who was firm but also showed me grace and mercy. There was Mrs. Johnston who, in a rather backward way, maybe planted the seed of ministry in my head and heart. At the very least she was a prophetess and didn’t know it. There was Mrs. Carter and Mr. Knutson who taught me a lot about music. Of course, there was Marge Falk who patiently gave me piano lessons. Mrs. Wright and Mr. Moore are other high school teachers I remember. They each had their impact!!
In college I remember Vic Gordon and Thom Johnson, both who were religious studies professors. Vic Gordon was also the Campus Chaplain. Both of these individuals helped unlock the Bible and gave it new meaning for my life. They both also gave me an incredible amount of support and direction as I began to think about the possibility of ministry for my life.
In seminary, there was Dr. Bjornard, the Old Testament Professor. He was never quite sure what to do with me because I was part Swedish and part Norwegian (He was 100% Norwegian). But Dr. Bjornard truly brought the Old Testament to life and helped me see how these stories of old were still stories for our lives and faith today. Dr. Robert Guelich helped me see the New Testament with fresh eyes that gave me a deeper and more personal understanding of Jesus and the early Church. I could go on and on!!
Since seminary days I’ve had a number of official and unofficial teachers in my life – Adam Hamilton, Michael Slaughter, Andy Stanley, John Maxwell, Patrick Lencioni, Mark Batterson, Simon Sinek, Henri Nouwen, Fr. Richard Rohr, Brene’ Brown, and literally I could go on and on, speaking of all the “teachers” who have helped shape my life and my ministry. These names I’ve mentioned don’t include the pastors and Bishops here in the Dakota’s who have also taught and shaped me! And God’s not done yet. I feel like there are still other things that God wants me to learn or how God wants me to grow. There are more teachers yet to come, that I’m sure of. So, thank you. Thank you one and all!!!
So, the question I want to raise to close with is this, “Who is teaching you these days?” Who is helping to shape and form your life? Your age doesn’t matter, there are still new things to learn. Who are the teachers that are sharing wisdom with you? Please take a moment to consider the teachers who have influenced you as well as the teachers who are still helping to shape your life. Give thanks for them and if you are still able…Give thanks to them. They often don’t hear words of appreciation enough. So, with that in mind. Phyllis Sorensen, probably the first teacher I remember…thank you!!! You started it all!! And I’m still learning, thanks to you!!
Serving Together,
Pastor Keith