Day 6 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.2 Timothy 2:15 Learning Curve Continual learning is a trademark of good teaching. There will undoubtedly be some new things for you to learn this year. Whether it's new curriculum, new procedures, or new colleagues, there's always something unfamiliar to master. Sometimes you get the chance to prepare over the summer for the coming year's changes. Other times it surprises you like a baby left on your doorstep, and you have no choice but to embrace it and learn how to care for it. Preparedness is preferred, but even when you're faced with teaching from a new text or you've been assigned a new subject area, or suddenly you're expected to team teach with someone you barely know, everything you've done so far has prepared you for what you're about to do. One of the tools with which God has equipped you is the desire to learn.

That willingness alone will offer you both insight and expertise into areas that right now baffle and befuddle you. God equips those He calls. It's no coincidence that you've had to learn to pay attention to and devise ways to meet the needs of many different children -- other people's children. Flexible and creative thinking helps you solve new problems every day. Even when you happen upon new and unforeseen challenges, this is the work uniquely prepared for your hands. If you feel inadequate or ill-prepared, you can still be sure that God has you exactly where He needs you to be. Final Thought: We don't need to be insecure about what we don't know. We are always able to learn something new.

Help prepare my heart to believe Your Word. Help my mind to meditate on Your principles. Help my hands to do the work prepared for them -- each and every day. Before the Bell Rings 2006 by Vicki Caruana.