Evidence

Teachers hope they make a difference in their students' lives. Most of the time we never find out if we did or not, but on some lucky occasions we do. A text or an email, even a letter, arrives out of the blue, and as the teacher reads, she sees the evidence that she made a difference.

It might be years later that this happens, but the long wait only makes it all the sweeter and more humbling. To know that you are remembered after many years is a beautiful feeling.

A few weeks ago I was quite surprised to see myself tagged on Facebook in a post about a former student who had just received a scholarship to a university in track. I was thanked for what I had done for him and acknowledged as someone who had made a difference. That post made me smile and provided the affirmation that I had made some sort of difference in his life.

 Then, this morning I received an unexpected Facebook message from his mother.

A request for prayers for her son. 

It is one thing to be told of an accomplishment of a former student, or for them to just say they were thinking of me - all good and welcome things. But a prayer request goes deeper than that.

It says that they recognized your own Christianity, that they recognized that aspect in your life and connected with it, enough so that, when there is a struggle, they think of you and want you to add your prayers to theirs. Even thought it is seven years later.

I can do that. 

And it doesn't matter what the request is about, either. In this case, her mama heart is hurting as she watches her son's anguish. I know that pain, and I do not dismiss it as, "Oh, he will get over it - just a bump on life's road." I think Heavenly Father listens to all our prayers because if it is important to us, it is important to Him. 

This now-hurting student was at my surprise retirement party last May, even though he was risking missing the team bus to a track meet and had to leave early. It meant a lot to me that he came. He was a great guy when he was in my class, and it was super to see that he still was a thoughtful, caring young man.

And so I prayed for my former student this morning ten minutes before his big race. I prayed that he would be able to do his best without the distraction of losing a girl who was very special to him, and I prayed that his hurting heart would heal. I also prayed when I received the initial message from him mother, and then after he had run that important race.

I am honored that, in a time of stress and difficulty, I had the opportunity to pray for a wonderful young man. And for his family.