Mean It

When I was a summer camp counselor an instructor once taught us about positive reinforcement when reprimanding a camper. He guided us to say, “Love you—mean it!” I found this saying to be silly at first, but I am not one to just ditch a constructive idea without at least trying it first. So as I began lecturing a camper about sneaking out at night to visit the girls camp I paused for a moment and while he held his head low I said, “Hey—love you. Mean it.” His demeanor changed after that encounter; he began to seek me out in confidence about personal matters and would ask me for advice. Regretfully, I never heard from him again after his two weeks at camp.

Years later as I began my career as a teacher, I attempted to carry this same concept into my classroom, but I would not let it end after a two week stint.

It is an unwelcome custom for teachers to share gossip about certain students before the first few days of school—to make them aware of what they had to look forward to. I found that when exposed to this ideal I would have preconceived judgments about such students and this only complicated our encounters. After some thought about how God does not hold grudges, I considered, “Who am I to prejudge?” After all, He knows our every thought and still continues to hold us dear. The next year I avoided the naysayers and opened each class by stating, “I don’t care about what negative image you may have. You have a chance to be a new person in here. In this classroom you will be loved. Starting today you have a new family— a family that will accept you and love you any time you need it. The only stipulation is that you must be willing to love others.”

I am not writing this to imply that I am God’s gift to teaching, but I know that I am one of God’s gifts. Just like all of my students—just like all of you. Jesus was God’s gift to the world much in the same way salvation is a gift to you. But the best part is you don't have to earn it. You don't have to overcompensate by justifying your existence or do something wonderful or important to "make your life meaningful." You are loved by God through Jesus Christ. And in response for the life Jesus gives, and even eternal life, he asks of us to be his church. To take care of His sheep. To love others. To love Him—and mean it.