When I first started my teaching career, I saw it as a way to support myself until my bigger dreams came true.  I REALLY wanted to be “in the ministry.”  Whatever that meant.  I didn’t really have a plan for how that was to happen (although I had been to Bible College).  I just thought destiny would cause things to fall into place. 

Over time, I realized being in an elementary classroom was being on a mission field.  One of my close friends grew up going to Catholic school.  He told me of how when he was young he was really nervous about this test he was taking.  One of the nuns took him aside and gave him extra time on the test and encouragement.  That one event (in his words) “wafted the fragrance of God in front of me.  In later years, I was always searching for that same fragrance.”  In time, he found the Lord and lives for Him today.

 Christian teachers in the public school make a difference.  We blow on our students the fragrance of God.  We display His character, show His love, and encourage His little ones.  It is a mission field.  We are in full-time ministry.