a calling

What does the word calling mean to you?  Does it mean that you are calling someone on the telephone?  Maybe you're calling across the room for your roommate to bring you a coke out of the fridge.  Well, I am talking about a specific calling... the one that I think has the most important meaning.

Merriam-Webster dictionary's definition of a calling:
a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence

I believe that some professions are a calling... and others are not.  I feel called to be a special education teacher.  Although, there are other things aspirations I would like to do besides teach, I know that NO MATTER what I want to work with people, children, and adolescents with special needs/disabilities.

Most of the time I get these reactions when I tell people what my major is:
"Oh, bless you."
"How do you have the patience for that?"
"Do you know what the burn out rate is in special education?"
"Don't become a teacher."
"Oh, you're just getting an MRS. degree."
"My [insert family member] does that, maybe you should talk to him/her before you decide to do that."

Well, yes the Lord has blessed me with this calling.  In the process of blessing me, He has blessed me with the patience to work with children with special needs.  Does that mean I'm a perfect person and I'm always patient?  Absolutely not.  However, through Him I can only become stronger and more patient.  Let me tell you, just because I have patience in working with children with special needs does NOT mean I have patience in a lot of other areas of my life.

Yes, I know what the burn out rate in special education is.  My reaction to that - they do not have the calling.  Don't even tell me to not become a teacher.  I've been playing school with my dolls, imaginary friends, and stuffed animals since I could talk.  I will become a teacher and I will like love it.  I am blessed to be at an awesome University that provides me with three practicum experiences prior to internship.  This summer I will be starting my third, and final, practicum.  With the previous two practicum experiences I have only felt reassured that special education is what I want to do.  I had a terrible first practicum experience.  When I say terrible, it wasn't awful.  I learned ALOT, but it was not the ideal place for me.  My second practicum experience was AWESOME.  I could not have asked for better students or teachers to work with.

I don't even know where to start with the MRS. degree comment.  No, I'm not getting this degree to just become a stay-at-home mom.  If I am, well then that's my choice.  I am getting this degree because it is my calling.  I am getting this degree because when I do, Lord willing, become a mother one day it will be the PERFECT profession to have when raising children.  I plan on getting a Masters degree as well. I can assure you that I don't plan on spending 5.5 years in school to then let those degrees go to waste.

Finally, no I don't want to talk to your family member that is a special education teacher.  With your attitude it seems as though they are miserable in this profession.  Thus, I don't want to talk to them and they should do the students a favor by retiring/quitting.

I pray that every teacher and person in a helping profession would have a calling.  People that don't feel called don't have the passion.  I pray that everyone can be passionate about their job!

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2Peter 1:10-11

peace & blessings