A New Heart

Something I wrote 20+ years ago: 

 In the early years of my teaching career I often struggled with how to deal with “problem” children; those who were disruptive, uncooperative, or rebellious. I would often pray for all of my students, but especially for these more troublesome ones. For years, the words that rose spontaneously from my heart when I prayed were similar to these: “Lord, give me a heart that can love these children with your love, eyes to see them as you see them, ears to listen to them as you do, and let what I say to them be your words.” As time went by, I found that there were fewer and fewer “problem” children in my classes. In fact, all of my students became more and more beautiful each year! Obviously, the children had not changed, but my capacity to welcome them as they were and to see what God sees in them did change. ... In 2020, I think I should start praying in the same fashion for some politicians...