All my little chil'ens

Some weeks, as I teach for five hours each Monday, I swear that I am quitting and not doing it for one more week. When they don’t understand, talk back to me, fail to listen to me, when I make them cry because I get in their face about not practicing and I can see no difference whatsoever – I just want to scream.

I started teaching simply because it was good money. (Can you believe that the average music teacher gets paid $30 per hour to count out loud with kids and explain the obvious??) But now I am really seeing these kids as people - most of whom are unsaved – who need someone to point them to truth. God has given me a love for them that, when I first started teaching, I seriously did not think would ever be possible.

Tonight I threw myself into investing in the lives of these children. I discovered something – I honestly do like doing this! What is not to like? You have the opportunity to influence the next generation, you can get right in their face and be stern with them when necessary (*shh* don’t tell anyone that I secretly enjoy saying exactly what is on my mind – especially when the parents are present!), most of them end up looking up to you simply because you are older and “can play the piano really well.”

Ok, so reality check here . . . I do admit that the thought of counting out loud and repeating myself 20 times over for five hours straight still turns my stomach.

Fact is, I hate it and love it so much at once that I am not sure what to think anymore!

Photo credit: Christina Dickson