The Bigger Picture

Lately, I've been feeling "the winter blues" coupled with the daily grind of school.  I've been butting heads with a few of my kiddos.  The more experience I get in the classroom, the more confident I become and the less they are able to get away with.  I've been really frustrated with the level of disrespect that some of them have.  Don't get me wrong, the majority of my kids are great.  It's funny how just a few bad attitudes can really bring you down.
Anyway, today was the Goldilocks of school days: not too bad, not too good.  Then God gave me a little reminder about why I'm there.  During my plan, I have a few girls that come in to do work.  One girl initially came in because she had a question on her homework, but she ended up talking about what was going on in her life.  After school, I talked with another one of my girls for an hour and a half.  She opened up about so much that's happened in her life.  Tough stuff.  
It amazes me and absolutely breaks my heart that kids have to go through so much that young.  Yeah, there was bullying, drugs, and alcohol when I was a kid.  I was only really affected by bullying (somewhat) and was oblivious to drugs, alcohol, and sex partially because my friends weren't into that and partially because I wasn't at all interested.  I think kids nowadays have it much tougher because the bullying and the peer pressure follow the kids everywhere they go thanks to their phones and Facebook.  They can't escape it.  Many of them don't know where to turn and are desperate for affirmation, wherever they may find it.  
If a kid trusts you enough to open up about their life, take the time to listen.  Don't judge his/her mistakes.  Just listen.  Be kind and show them Jesus.  You may be the only adult to show them that you care.