What's In You?

WHAT'S IN YOU?

Psalm 114:7

Tremble thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.

"Ms. Vosotros is here!" It's the statement which my students often exclaim as they see me approaching to their classroom. As I entered the room, everyone is silently seated, waiting for my instructions. One, keep all the unnecessary things for my subject. Two, pick up the trash on the floor. Three, arrange the tables and chairs. Four, sit down properly. Five, be ready to listen. Then, they will hear me say, "Focus, focus, focus!" Yes, this is the very first scenario that always take place for more than a decade of teaching. There are some who asked me, "Ms. why is your class so behaved but during my time, it's hard for me to control them. What's in you? What did you do?". There are also some who told me, "Your class is so quiet because of your voice and your strict face, that's why they are afraid of you." These are just some of people's opinion about me. But the truth is, it's not really about me. Though the school director commended me for the good classroom management I've shown during my class demonstration when I was still applying for the position, but still, I would firmly say that it's not about me. Knowing all my inadequacy, to be where I am is nothing but grace. I am not here because of my skills and abilities.

My scholastic background wasn't good, most especially during my elementary years. I have a very poor foundation: graduated in elementary with a general average of 76%, finished late in high school, and became a government scholar for mercy sake. To pass the teachers' board exam was truly a miracle for me, this is what I always believe!

It's still fresh in my mind how everything started. I was in our church, busy helping in the youth ministry. My classmates at that time was worried about me. I did not review for the board exam, and I did not apply for a job while everyone was very busy passing their application letters from one school to another. Well, please don't get me wrong, the reason why I did not review for the board exam is not because I am already confident with myself; and I did not apply for a job not because I don't need a job; but I was challenged financially. Yes, I don't have money to pay for the review, I cannot even afford to go to the internet cafe to make an application letter. Life was just so hard at that time! My father died when I was still in 1st year college, leaving us with nothing but an ancestral house that has to be divided with his 8 siblings; my mother and older siblings were jobless, to make the long story short, I was the hope of the family, for only me did finish a degree. But I praise God for the hope He gave in my heart in those days. It was my main leader in the youth ministry who encouraged me to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto me. All I did was, serve in the youth ministry, pray and wait for the door to open. Until one day, one of my classmates came to our house, and told me to help her write the application letters; she was the one who paid for everything. We applied together at her expense. For me, that was a blessing! We passed 3 application letters to different schools. I was called, and got hired, but sadly, she did not make it, so she decided to go back to her province. I praise God for her forever.

The school where I am presently connected was an answer to my prayer. I've been teaching here for 17 years of God's faithfulness. Many has come and go, in fact I am the only one left in my batch. Life here is not perfect, but what makes it perfect is the presence of God who brought me into this place. Again, it's not about me, everything is about God. So to God be all the glory!