There’s a story from many years ago that tells of an elementary school teacher whose name was Mrs. Thompson. As she stood in front of her fifth-grade class on the first day of school, she told her children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and told them that she loved them all the same. But that simply was not true, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn’t play well with the other children. His clothes were messy and he constantly needed a bath. Teddy could be unpleasant at times. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen and making bold X’s and finally putting a Big “F” on the top of his papers. At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught she was required to review each child’s past records. She put Teddy’s off till last. When she finally reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. Teddys first grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners. He’s a joy to be around.” His second-grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is an excellent student and well-liked by his classmates. But he’s troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.” His third-grade teacher wrote, “His mother’s death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn’t show much interest. His home life will soon affect him if steps aren’t taken.” Teddys fourth grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school. He doesn’t have many friends and sometimes he even sleeps in class.” By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddys. His present was clumsily wrapped in heavy brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children’s laughter when she explained how pretty the bracelet was while putting it on and then dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, “Mrs. Thompson, today you smell just like my mom used to.” After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On this very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic and instead she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson began to pay close attention to Teddy as she worked with him. As time went on his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class. Despite her lie, he had become one of her teacher’s pets. A year later she found a note under the door from Teddy telling her that she was the best teacher he had ever had in his whole life. Six years passed by and to her surprise, another note came from Teddy. He wrote that he had finished high school third in his class and that she was still the best teacher that he had ever had in his whole life. Four years later, another letter came, saying that while things had been tough at times, he stayed in school and stuck with it and that he had graduated from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the very best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life. Four more years passed by and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor’s degree, he had decided to go a little further. Again, assuring her that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. The letter was signed Theodore F. Stoddard MD. The story doesn’t end there. There was one final letter that spring. Teddy said that he had met this girl and that he was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place, at his wedding, that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. She wore that bracelet, the one with the several rhinestones missing. She also made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. After the wedding, they hugged each other as Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson ear, “Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.” Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back, “Teddy you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn’t know how to teach until I met you.”
We all can make an incredible difference in lives of those around us…
Be a blessing and be blessed by it, Pastor Michael
The Marks of a Leader
Leaders should aspire to look like small boys in August. If you raise children or grandchildren, you know that by the end of August, they’ve been running around all summer in their shorts, sneakers and T-shirts. You also know that their knees and their elbows are always skinned, their shins always black and blue, and that they have the marks of the summer’s fracas on their faces. A 6-year-old boy at the end of summer is my picture of a leader.
I got that picture from David Hubbard, president of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. Many years ago he told me that leaders need to learn not to inflict pain, but to bear pain. It seems to me that if you’re bearing pain properly as a leader, whether you’re a preacher, a college professor, a parent or a teacher, you ought to have the marks of the struggle. One ought to have bruised shins and skinned knees. Max DePree, Leadership Jazz
Carried and Called to Follow
Jesus the Good Shepherd is one of Christianity’s most endearing images. Scenes of Jesus holding a small lamb bring comfort during times of trouble, reminding us of God’s tender care when we are weak or hurting. In those moments, we are grateful to be carried.
Yet this image also points to a deeper truth. The Shepherd’s role is not only to carry the lamb, but to lead the flock. When we are restored and strengthened, we are called to rise, to walk and to follow where He leads.
God meets us in our need with compassion, but He also calls us forward with purpose. The same hands that lift us up also guide us on the path ahead.
There is a time to be carried, and there is a time to follow.
A Repair for Brokenness
Our lives are marked by brokenness, including broken relationships, broken promises, and broken expectations. Left unattended, these fractures can quietly shape us, hardening into bitterness or resentment.
How do we live with such brokenness without losing heart? We return, again and again, to God’s faithful presence. In Him, we find not only comfort but restoration. God does not ignore what is broken. He meets us in it, gently mending what we place in His hands and reshaping what feels beyond repair.
Scripture reminds us, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3, NIV). What we cannot fix on our own, God is able to restore in His time and in His way.
Henri Nouwen, a Dutch Catholic priest, professor and spiritual writer, often spoke of this sacred return, the daily turning back to God where healing begins and hope is renewed. In His presence, our brokenness is not wasted. It becomes the very place where grace takes root and new life begins.
Save Me a Pew
The world’s largest Protestant congregation is Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul. Since its founding in 1958, the church has grown at an extraordinary pace. By 1983, even seven Sunday services could not accommodate all who came to worship, leading to the creation of satellite congregations.
The main sanctuary, located across from National Assembly Building, seats about 26,000 people. Yet the membership is so large that attendees are assigned specific weeks of the month to attend services.
What a powerful witness in a country where only about 30 percent of the population identifies as Christian.
What would it take for your church to face a similar “problem”? And what part might you play in making room for more?
In Every Season, Turn to God
Are you enjoying a happy time? Praise God.
Is life becoming difficult? Seek God.
Are you experiencing a quiet moment? Worship God.
Are you suffering great pain? Trust God.
Are you unsure what to do? Ask God.
Are you overwhelmed with joy? Thank God.
If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded. Maya Angelou
Belief is truth held in the mind; faith is a fire in the heart. Joseph Fort Newton
