The Other Day I Substitute Taught…

20161118_102321I haven’t written a poem in years…in fact I wasn’t even sure I remembered how!

But recently I’d been thinking about how it’d be sweet to set just a little time aside and see what I could come up with…I just wasn’t sure I’d make time to do so.

I’ve been substitute teaching a lot these days and although I love it (MOST DAYS)… there are some that seem as though they’re going to refuse to end!!

And yesterday was one of those days…

I subbed, I came home exhausted, and when I JUST wanted to sleep in the early morning hours of the night—I lay awake…with rhyming words bouncing in my head…(oh and someone’s dog barking wildly).

Seriously?…I thought to myself…

I considered grabbing my phone and taking notes at 3 A.M. because that’s what I’ve done in the past when words have come to me…but not this time!

I forced my mind to shut down and somehow I fell asleep…at last…

…And a few hours later I woke up to a combination of alarm clock noise and rhyming words and phrases streaming through my head..

Kids loud, too proud…

Time better tick,                                  it better move quick.

Hmm…I could go somewhere with this I began to think.

So before my own crew woke I started writing a poem. As I finished the last few lines I considered how this poem came about in such an unexpected way…

My kiddos trickled into my bedroom with sleepy eyes and blankets draped around their shoulders.

I read my narrative poetry aloud and with a grin on their faces they each snickered and approved.

So without further delay here it is:

The other day I substitute taught,
it was a harder task than I ever thought.
 
Kids loud,
too proud.

Ask them to quiet,
it seems they want to start a riot.

Give ’em a test,
some just guess—
Others do their best.

Me?
Well I’m feeling quite stressed.

Ask them to please not talk,
some just gawk.

Me?
Well I’d love a self cool-down and perhaps a short walk.

Please just sit,
don’t throw a fit.

All I need…
…is for you to read.

Myself?
Well I begin to doubt,
at this point I’d even take a time-out!

Some kids pout,
most just shout—
Still a few know just what to do!

Watch the clock,
shouldn’t we be almost through?

Some just crazy,
others lazy—                                     Me?
My mind seems somewhat hazy.

Time better tick,
it better move quick,
or I’ll be sick!

My patience has grown faint,
their teacher must be a saint!

At last the time has passed,
better pack up fast.

One-by-one head out the door,
I don’t want this headache anymore!!

~Alicia M. Witt

So yesterday, not only did my confidence feel depleted, but my teaching ability felt like failure also.

Today is a new day however, and with the words completed for this poem God has given me a sense of accomplishment and achievement.

Will I sub another day? You bet!

Will I have more rough teaching days? Absolutely!…after all I’m a homeschool mama too! So if not there, then here…

But I’ll think of the words to that poem and remind myself that good things will come about even when least expected. It wasn’t really in my current plans to come up with a poem, but God planned it out that way and I followed through.

What about you? Is there something you’re not making time for; something that maybe God is whispering, “don’t overlook this opportunity! write, learn, build, create, teach!”

Whatever it might be…be encouraged to do the things God is calling you to do!! Seek Him for guidance, He’ll see you through!

Philippians 4:13 says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

20 thoughts on “The Other Day I Substitute Taught…”

    1. HE does have perfect timing!! Hopefully a “next poem” of mine can reflect HAPPY and FUN thoughts, but this one is true to my “yesterday feelings” and actually when I read it, it makes me laugh!

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    1. Yes, it can definitely be challenging…I do love it most times, but boy there must be summer fever in the air!! …and my own kiddos have Grandma as a sub when I sub at public schools so I get a detailed report on them too…which isn’t always peaches and cream:/ LOL

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  6. I loved your poem! You expressed so well those feelings that run through us in those “temporary” situations! And I am so glad that God knows how to help us reach inside and find the words that He has tucked there for us! Blessings to you!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words! I almost feel guilty over those thoughts…but the Bible is clear on discipline too and perhaps some of those kiddos lack this seemingly lost key ingredient to good behavior..either way I still love subbing and continually pray I can be an example of Jesus’ love even when attitudes are unfavorable.

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  8. Awesome poem sis!!! My apologies as well, my sweet sister… the entire time I thought that I followed your blog and I wasn’t. Can’t wait to read more. 🙏🏾❤️🙌🏽
    Have a blessed day and even better weekend

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