Teachers Come In All Forms

You know I have been so blessed that sometimes it just seems a little unfair. It almost seems like God is doing so much for me I feel like he might be forgetting someone else. One of the biggest blessings of late is the teachers he has surrounded me with.

From my pastor, friend, mentor and Christian brother Pastor G to the amazing crew on Gilpin #9 to the awesome team at George Wythe HS (GWHS) I am surrounded by some of the most wonderful teachers in the world.

Starting from the top I’ve noticed a definite shift in Pastor G’s last few teachings and it’s been a wonderful learning experience for me personally. The more I hear him speak of doing God’s work with all your heart and soul the more proud I am to serve under him. I never fail to not learn a valuable lesson from him. And it don’t matter if he’s behind the pulpit, picking up trash in a bus neighborhood on a cold rainy day or threatening to punch out the next person who disrespects one of his leaders. I am truly honored to be a servant of the man God has placed over me.

I think we could all stand to be better servants of whomever god places over us. I know no one is perfect, but I’m not talking about perfection. I’m talking about doing your best. And that is never judged by what you do in relation to what others do, but by what you do in relation to what you could have done. One day we’ll all look back over our lives and I for one never want to look back with anything other than a smile and a feeling that I did my best.

Another great teacher of mine is my bus captain Jason “The Dean” Helmlinger. Although I don’t get to see him as much any more and that makes me a little sad I have learned so much from this man. From what it takes to be a great family man and a wonderful husband to what true loyalty and friendship means. And talk about a servant this is one that God himself must look on with very fond eyes. Every time I see him with Mandy, his boys and his little ladies in tow I’m amazed at the love and devotion I see in this spiritual leader of his house. Not to mention he will defend them in a mighty way. (Just try the suggestion of putting a gun loaded with blanks to his wife’s head sometime and you’ll see that real quick…. Carl) To see him on the bus with the Gilpin kids it so inspiring and they truly love him. Even if he’s explaining why they can’t ride this week.

Then we’ve got J-Diesel (aka Josh) and the adorable Crystal. I can’t believe she thought I didn’t like her when she first came on the bus. Let me just tell the entire world now that she is the bomb of a bus secretary. I guess I was just a little shy and put off as I often am by a truly beautiful woman. She is a great Christian, a great Mom, a great bus secretary and a great friend. Truth be known I’d take a bus full of Crystals in a heartbeat and I hope she never leaves bus #9.

Now that Josh is another story… Just kidding he’s another great teacher. I remember seeing him in Israel with a freshly broken leg walking for miles and never once complaining. Or working out with him and the Dean in the mornings at the ROC gum and being inspired to do just a little bit more. He has had to fill in a lot lately for Jason as bus captain and he’s doing a fantastic job. The kids love him and the bus is running as smooth as it can be. (Remember it is Gilpin #9)

And I can’t forget to give a shout out to our youngest editions Summer and Laura. Laura has really taken hold is whipping those kids into shape and our numbers are climbing up every week as a result.

But lately the most influential teachers have been my GWHS crew and the students. You talk about a couple amazing teachers. Jake and Sonny are just that. I’ve seen them and all the others do some amazing things with these kids already and we’re only just getting started. I sometimes feel so unworthy to be among these great men and women of God. He has put together a crew that can handle any situation the devil tries to throw at us. From Coach Kelly to Counselor Unique, from cool Randy to the impressionable Lester. Championship Belt, Go SKINS Todd and organizational goddess Sara, understanding Tammy and the man, that dancing machine who keeps me moving in the right direction Me’kel. Ben and Dajah also. I learn something new and wonderful from this crew every day.

And these kids, these beautiful loving children of God give me strength every day. It is truly a blessing to serve them for my Jesus. Knowing that some day these future leaders will look back at their time here at GWHS as a pivotal time in their lives. A time when they could have gone in any direction that the wind blew them, but God placed 12 disciples in their path. Just to make sure they could find that narrow road that will lead them to the promise land. Kind of funny now that I think about it, that seems like a perfect number to me. I think God knows exactly what he’s doing. Have a great day and remember;

“Great spirits will encounter violent opposition from mediocre people”