Sweet and Sour

A group of my seventh grade boys were standing at the railing this morning waving at people passing by on the sidewalk. I love this side of their personalities. My neighbor, the Science teacher, asked me if I had ever heard of "sweet and sour," to which I shook my head "no." She explained that it's a game: if you wave at someone in a car and they smile or wave, then they're sweet; and if they don't, they're sour. It works with students in the classroom too, though it really has more to do with respect.

My seventh graders are my sweet. I smile and laugh and work hard for them, and they listen and self-manage and try to do well. Some of my eighth graders are like this too, but the behavior and overall attitude of a few key personalities are steadily souring the sweetness my seventh graders bring in with them. And I keep thinking that if these few students are acting out so much, they are probably really hurting inside. That has a sourness of its own, but it isn't one that I can help too much - it can only be changed by a much deeper touch.

The culture at my school is challenging because it is a culture I really grew to hate before I left to teach in China. It is a culture that claims to believe by going to church and pronouncing it on their lips, but doesn't live it out. It is empty of the true power to be found in Jesus and it is one that desperately needs Him. I am humbled that He has put me here to be a voice of truth and love, and I am thankful that He has considered me worthy enough to be tested in this way.