On Tuesday, I shared with you a situation that occurred at my children’s school. My daughter Asia, experienced embarrassment and shame at the hands of her 5th grade teacher, simply because she used the name Jesus in her expression of frustration, while seeking for an item to complete work given in class. (Please read the devotion entitled: “Shut Up and Sit Down” for the details). 
On Monday, I was in my flesh. I did not care if this lady would lose her job – ultimately effecting her family, because she showed no care or concern for mine. I know, I know. I told you I had to tell my flesh to shut up because the Bible says this:

“See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.” ‭‭I Thessalonians‬ ‭5:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I know you can’t wish ill or harm on anyone. We do that right? We want folks to suffer how we want them to, when they do us wrong for no reason. When we fight, we offend. We God fights, He redeems. So, I had to get my mind right, because it was a mess. 

I had called the school and left the Principal a voice mail Monday afternoon. I had just missed school hours. Knowing that she would not receive it until later, I also sent her an email because I assumed she would check emails prior to arriving to school the next morning. I had her contact information. Again, you have to be involved with your child’s life outside of what goes on in the home. Care about what they care about. My husband and I have a relationship with the school so they know who we are and we support not only the school and its endeavors, but also our children. 

I sent an email Monday night at 11:48 pm to the Principal. I explained how Asia described the situation, how we understand that we only had one side of the story but also we know our children. I also expressed my interest in how the situation would be handled and I left the Principal with this statement: “I trust in your ability to lead and find a resolution for this situation.”

Here this: A spiritual change occurs first inwardly, before it appears in the natural. In other words, when God God is a Spirit. Everything He does manifests in the Spirit first and begins to change your life; He does it from the inside out. 

Watch this: I allowed the Spirit of God, by His word, to minister to me and change my thoughts and perspective on these series of events first, and then I allowed it to be manifested physically by placing the responsibility in the hands of the Principal. Did you catch that? That’s so powerful!

What I did was took all of my frustrations, hurt, and anger and placed them in the hands of the Principal, carnally, after I placed my trust in the hands of my Father.  I could not do that without first allowing the word of God to bring me back under subjection to His will and His Holy Spirit. We often do this backwards. We try to fix the outer then ask the Lord for help. It won’t work. 

The Principal replied at 5:48 am on Tuesday. She apologized that Asia had to experience this. She mentioned how she’s never had any issues with Asia or any of our children over the past 7 years. She also was shocked at the behavior of the teacher as that was out of character for her as well. She told me that she would speak to the teacher and Asia separately and then contact me at 9:30 am to discuss next steps and if I felt a meeting was warranted. 

At 9:35 am, the Principal calls. I had already won because I trusted the Lord would grant victory. I could not physically see how this would be positive and fair but it was. The teacher explained the situation just as Asia described it. . So my child told the truth. The teacher apologized. She said she was completely wrong and she admitted she was. She said her reply was not in any way related to religious beliefs or a disbelief. She claims there was so much going on in the room at the time, when she heard it, she wanted whoever it was to be mindful of other students and their beliefs. 

So the Principal says to the teacher (I love this lady. She takes care of business but she is a sweetheart and she is fair):
Principal: How could you have handled this differently?

The Teacher: Talk to Asia afterwards or call her to my desk to explain being more conscious of others. 

Principle: What do you think effected Asia the most?

Teacher: Calling Asia out in front of everyone and embarrassing her as if she did something wrong.

The teacher then said she wanted to apologize to Asia and myself for her actions. The Principal read my email to her. Ironically, the teacher had to leave for the day on Tuesday because she received a call from her child’s school that she became sick- that’s a whole different message right there. I hope you catch it. See that same Jesus you deny openly, bae baeee, you gone need him. When your children become stricken with illness and you can’t do anything to take it away?? Oh now your child need help? Mmm I’ll leave that alone. 

The Principal calls Asia down separately and the first things she tells Asia: “honey, I need you to know that you did nothing wrong. You said nothing wrong. You’re not in any trouble at all. I want you to remember this. In life you will experience many things. When things come up, you will have to determine what is the good, the bad, the ugly, and what can I learn from this.” 

The Principal: What was the ugly in this for you?

Asia: She called me out in front of the class. 

Principal: Exactly and now you were left to try to justify this to everyone. You were placed in a situation that you’re too young to try to explain or understand. As you grow and get older, you will do and say things about what you feel and believe and people will ask for an explanation of why you feel the way that you do, but at this age, you’re too young to decipher and be placed in a situation to try to explain that. 

I don’t know about you but I call this victory on many levels. 

1. The teacher can keep her job. 
2. She will apologize to Asia and to the class for the incident that occurred. 
3. She will be more mindful of her behavior and the path taken as an educator at all times- she will remember this situation. 
4. She learned on yestuhday that there are parents of all ethnical backgrounds who have a vested interest in their child’s education and rights.
5. Both myself and my child represented Christ and I remained in right-standing with my Savior which is so important to me on many levels. The teacher met Christ representers on yesterday. 
6. I taught my children how to never bow to the enemy and do not stoop to his level. To always hold your integrity in Christ. In other words, tell the flesh to shut up and sit down and have a candid (heart to heart), transparent conversation with it. 
7.  I allowed the Lord to fight for me, and I was able to hold my peace. 

The last thing the Principal said after hugging Asia a gazillion times was this: “I love how you shared with your parents what happened on yesterday. Continue to do that. Do not ever stop talking to your parents. They are in your best interest and will lead you to make the right choices in life and help you resolve issues when they arise, like this.”
That’s it Mrs. T. We can learn from this, spiritually as well: We should never stop talking to God our Father, both asking and waiting for Him to lead us to make the right decisions in life. If we do this, we will always make the right choices. It was not easy. No no but it was so worth it. Knowing that I passed the test and that I can see growth in myself. 
So on THIS DAY! I declare and walk in victory as I cite the words of a song by Todd Dulaney…

“Hallelujah, you have won the victory. Hallelujah, you have won it all – for me”

Thank you Jesus!

Bye Felicia. I win, you lose!