As a career teacher, this Scripture means a lot to me. I remember fondly the teachers in elementary and high school who touched my life and influenced me to become the person that I have become. There was the seventh grade teacher who understood that I had physical limitations and allowed me to stay in and sit with her during recess. My favorite memory is of my high school Spanish teacher who knew how shy I was; nevertheless, she challenged me daily to write on the board and explain my answers to the class. Now, of course, I was not the only one who was required to do that, but I seemed to be the one that she added encouraging words each time I was successful. She nominated me to go to a special school one summer for those who were talented in foreign languages. I will always remember my beloved Sra. Mary Smith, mostly because I emulated her my whole adult life, becoming a demanding and loving Spanish teacher. I have a framed needlepoint picture from one of my students that says, “A good teacher teaches from the heart.” That is what I learned from Sra. Smith and what I tried hard to do during my entire career.

Now that I am an adult, I am still learning, so I still have teachers. One is my pastor at my church, from whom I learn new things to reflect on weekly. I also learn from my children and grandchildren; in their innocence and love, they teach me to be young and innocent again, expecting the best from everyone whom I meet. But, most importantly, after I became a Christian in 1973, the Holy Spirit came to live within me and to teach me God’s truth. When I begin to stray from the path He wants me on, I hear his voice gently prodding me to go the right way. He teaches me daily as I read the Word. I don’t have my own interpretation of what the Bible is saying to me because I depend on the Holy Spirit to help me to apply God’s Word to me and my life. All that He teaches me is truthful and draws me closer to Christ. After all, that is the purpose of my life, to draw closer to Christ and then to tell others about my experiences so that they too, hopefully, can get closer to the Great Teacher.

So, think about your teachers. Appreciate them for what they poured into your life. Then, realize that God pours His Spirit into your life daily if you will allow Him to do so. He wants to teach you; his desire is for you to grow closer to Christ by learning His truths. Just accept the teaching of the Holy Spirit. That’s all…listen and apply His truth to your life. You will never be the same once the Holy Spirit becomes your teacher!