PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

Let’s being with a story about no one most have heard of, Teddy Stallard. It begins as an all too common story about a teacher and student. Although we are going to make a different application, I want us all to do a little self-examination: 1) How we view others out of the church; 2) How we view others in the church; 3) How we view ourselves; 4) How God views us; 5) How we view God.

Teddy is atypical of many privileged kids who fill the classrooms of America; but is typical of way too many. This story, however, is not just about Teddy; it’s also about his 5th grade teacher. Her name is Miss Thompson. Miss Thompson is the one who wrote the story, which she simply entitled, “Three Letters From Teddy.”

She writes,

Teddy’s letter came today, and now that I’ve read it, I will place it in my cedar chest with the other things that are important to my life. “I wanted you to be the first to know,” Teddy wrote to me. I smiled as I read the words he had written and my heart swelled with pride. But it was a pride that I really had no right to feel.

You see, I have not seen Teddy Stallard since he was a student in my 5th grade class, 15 years ago. It was early in my teaching career, and I had only been teaching for two years. From the first day he stepped into my classroom, I disliked Teddy. Teachers (although everyone knows differently) are not supposed to have favorites in a class, but most especially they are not to show dislike for a child. Any child.

Nevertheless, every year there are one or two children that one cannot help but be attached to, for teachers are human, and it’s human nature to like bright, pretty, intelligent people. Whether they are 10 years old or 25. And sometimes, not too often fortunately, there will be one or two students to whom the teacher just can’t seem to relate.

I had thought myself quite capable of handling my personal feelings along that line until Teddy walked into my life. There wasn’t a child I particularly liked that year, but Teddy was most assuredly, one I disliked. He was dirty. Not just occasionally, but all the time. His hair hung low over his ears, and he actually had to hold it out of his eyes as he wrote his papers in class. (And this was before it was fashionable to wear your hair this way!)

Too, he had a peculiar odor about him which I could never identify. His physical faults were many, and his intellect left a lot to be desired also. By the end of the first week I knew he was hopelessly behind the others. Not only was he behind; he was just plain slow! I began to withdraw from him immediately. Any teacher will tell you that it’s more of a pleasure to teach a bright child. It is definitely more rewarding for one’s ego too.

But any teacher worth her credentials can channel work to the bright child, keeping him challenged and learning, while she puts her major effort on the slower ones. Any teacher can do this. Most teachers do it, but I didn’t, not that year. In fact, I concentrated on my best students and let the others follow along as best they could. Ashamed as I am to admit it, I even took a kind of perverse pleasure in using my red pen; and each time I came to Teddy’s papers, the cross marks (and they were many) were always a little larger and a little redder than necessary.

“Poor work!” I would write with a flourish. While I didn’t actually ridicule the boy, my attitude was obviously quite apparent to the class, for he quickly became the class “goat,” the outcast ‑ the unlovable and the unloved. He knew I didn’t like him, but he didn’t know why. Nor did I know ‑ then or now ‑ why I felt such an intense dislike for him. All I knew is that he was a little boy no one cared about, and I made no effort in his behalf.

The days rolled by. We made it through the Fall Festival and the Thanksgiving holidays, and I continued marking happily with my red pen. As the Christmas holidays approached, I knew that Teddy would never catch up in time to be promoted to the sixth grade. He would be a repeater. To justify myself, I went to his cumulative folder from time to time.

He had very low grades for the first four years, but no grade failure yet. How he had made it, I didn’t know. I closed my mind to the personal remarks I also read on those report cards. First grade: Teddy shows promise by work and attitude, but had poor home situation. Second grade: Teddy could do better, Mother terminally ill. He receives very little help at home. Third grade: Teddy is a pleasant boy. Helpful, but too serious. A slow learner. His mother passed away at the end of year. Fourth grade: Very slow, but well behaved. Father shows no interest.

Well, they passed him four times, but he will certainly repeat fifth grade! Do him good, I said to myself. And then the very last day before the Christmas holiday arrived. In our classroom, our little tree on the reading table was covered with paper and popcorn chains. Many, many gifts were heaped underneath of the tree too, each of them waiting for the big moment. Teachers always get several gifts at Christmas, but that year my collection of gifts seemed bigger and more elaborate than ever. There was not one student who had not brought me a gift.

With each unwrapping, came squeals of delight, and the proud giver would receive an effusive “thank you” from me. Teddy’s gift wasn’t the last one I picked up; in fact it was in the middle of the pile. His wrapping was a brown paper bag, and he had colored Christmas trees and red bells all over it. I could tell it came from his heart.

It was stuck together with masking tape. The gift label simply read, “For Miss Thompson ‑ From Teddy.” The group was completely silent, and for the first time I felt conspicuous, really even embarrassed because they all stood watching me unwrap Teddy’s gift.

As I removed the last bit of masking tape, two items fell to my desk; a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with several stones missing and a small bottle of dime store cologne ‑ half empty. I could hear the snickers and the whispers and I wasn’t sure I could look at Teddy. “Isn’t this lovely?” I asked, placing the bracelet on my wrist. “Teddy, would you help me fasten it?” He smiled shyly as he fixed the clasp, and I held up my wrist for all of them to admire it.

There were a few hesitant oohs and ahhs, but as I dabbed the cologne behind my ears, all of the little girls lined up for a dab behind their ears as well.

I continued to open the gifts until I reached the bottom of the pile. We ate our refreshments there in the class, and then the bell rang. The children filed out with shouts of “See you next year!” and “Merry Christmas!” but Teddy waited at his desk. When they had all left, he walked toward me, clutching his books to his chest.

“You smell just like Mom,” he said softly, “Her bracelet looks real pretty on you too. I’m glad you liked it.” He left quickly. I locked the door, sat down at my desk, and wept. That day I resolved to make up to Teddy what I had deliberately deprived him of – a teacher who cared for him and who believed in him.

I stayed over every afternoon with Teddy from the end of the Christmas holidays until the last day of his fifth grade. Sometimes we worked together. Sometimes he worked alone, while I drew lesson plans or graded other papers. Slowly but surely, he caught up with the rest of the class. And gradually there was a definite upward curve in his grades. He did not have to repeat the fifth grade.

In fact, his final averages were among the highest in the class, and although I knew he would be moving out of the state when school was out, I was not worried about him. Teddy had reached a level that would stand him in good stead the following year, no matter where he went. He had finally enjoyed a measure of success. And as we were taught in our teacher training courses, “It is success that builds success.” I felt good.

I did not hear from Teddy until seven years later, when his first letter appeared in my mailbox. This is what it said. Letter number 1. “Dear Miss Thompson, I just wanted you to be the first to know, I will be graduating second in my class next month. Very truly yours, Teddy Stallard.”  I sent him a card of congratulations and a small package, a pen and pencil gift set. I wondered what he would do after graduation.

Four years later, Teddy’s second letter came. It simply said this, “Dear Miss Thompson, I wanted you to be the first to know, I was just informed that I’ll be graduating first in my class. The university has not been easy, but I liked it. Very truly yours, Teddy Stallard.”  I sent him a good pair of sterling silver monogrammed cuff links and a card. I was so proud of him, I thought I would burst.

And now today, Teddy’s third letter arrived. This is what it said. “Dear Miss Thompson, I wanted you to be the first to know. As of today I am Theodore J. Stallard, M.D. How about that!!? I’m going to be married in July, on the 27th, to be exact. And I wanted to ask if you could come and sit where Mom would sit if she were here. I’ll have no family there, as Dad died last year. Very truly yours, Ted Stallard.”

I’m not sure what kind of gift you send to a doctor on completion of medical school and his state boards. Maybe I’ll just wait and take a wedding gift, but my note can’t wait. So I wrote him back and this is what I said. “Dear Ted, Congratulations! You made it, and you did it! In spite of those like me and not because of us, this day has come for you. God bless you. Yes, I’ll be at your wedding, with bells on!” Signed, Miss Thompson.

“The Teacher Who Believes In Me” is a heartwarming, tender story that can make us all tear up. About two thousand years ago now, there was a teacher who came from God, who specialized and has been specializing in changing people’s hearts. He’s been doing it now, for literally, hundreds of years. To his disciples, the night before he died, he said in John 13:13, “You call me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am.” Jesus is the Lord, Master, King, Son of God; and Jesus is the teacher.

And as a teacher Jesus has no equal. When and where He taught, life changes took place in people’s hearts. And that’s what America needs. That’s what our community needs. That’s what our homes need in many, many places. We need what only God can do. We need a change in people’s hearts.

You know, I think probably the biggest thing that marks Jesus’ teaching more than anything else, is the attitude that Jesus had toward people. The way He treated people. The way He thought of people. And the way He believed in people. And so in this sermon, I just want to offer you 5 simple attitudes the greatest teacher who ever lived, had about people. They are heart changing.

Miss Thompson learned and applied these principles. Jesus taught them a long time ago. And just imagine how our society could change if it came to understand and practice the way Jesus believed in people. The greatest teacher taught,

• #1) You’re acceptable.
• #2) You’re valuable,
• #3) You’re lovable,
• #4) You’re forgivable,
• #5) You’re capable.

I.          YOU’RE ACCEPTABLE

You know, people work so hard at being acceptable these days. People buy things, wear things, join things, all just trying to be accepted. But listen to what God says when we simply open our lives to Him.

Romans 15:7 (HCSB) Therefore accept one another, just as the Messiah also accepted you, to the glory of God.

Think about this for a moment. Do you have to earn your acceptance? Does Jesus say we ever deserve it? Can we ever be good enough? No. But Jesus the teacher, taught that when you open your life to God by obeying Him and I think this is an important point – trying harder even though you will continue to fail – God accepts you. Jesus says, I’m acceptable.”

II.          YOU’RE VALUABLE

Psalms 27:10 (HCSB) Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD cares for me.

Even if you grew up in a dysfunctional home, and you’ve never felt valued, I’m here to tell you this morning that you are valuable to God.

Luke 12:24 (HCSB) Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?

I’m more than acceptable, I’m valuable. I’m worth something, I’m significant. How much are you worth? I’m not talking about your possessions. You see, in America we confuse self‑worth with net worth. And they’re very different. You see, your value has nothing to do with your valuables. How much do you think you’re worth?

III.         YOU’RE LOVABLE

Jesus said, “The greatest commandment was to do what? Love God with all your heart, and second, love your neighbor as yourself.” Now this verse is so important folks because you can’t really love anybody else until you feel that you’re lovable.

Matthew 22:37-39 (HCSB) (37) He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. (38) This is the greatest and most important command. (39) The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

If we don’t feel loved, we can’t share love effectively with anybody else. God knew that. He knew it was vital for man to feel loved.

Isaiah 54:10 (HCSB) Though the mountains move and the hills shake, My love will not be removed from you and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” says your compassionate LORD.

You know, God doesn’t love you one day and not love you the next. He doesn’t love you on your good days and not your bad days. Some of us maybe grew up or have lived with “conditional” love. One lady described her life growing up, “I didn’t know if I was going to be hugged or slugged.” It may be our parents, spouse, or peers are fickle. They are undependable. Whatever the case, I’m here to tell you today, God isn’t like that. He loves us consistently.

You see, this kind of love has got to get from your head to where it touches your heart. What our society and our community and our homes need more than anything else, is a change of heart. And that what God specializes in. Changing people’s hearts. Where you come to KNOW, that God is saying about YOU, “You’re acceptable, You’re valuable, You’re lovable.”

IV. YOU’RE FORGIVABLE

And then number four, God says, “I’m forgivable. Aren’t you glad for this one? You’re forgivable. You see, none of us are perfect and we all need forgiveness. And God is a forgiving God. Listen to what God says:

Isaiah 43:25 (HCSB) “It is I who sweep away your transgressions for My own sake and remember your sins no more.

You see, once we confess, God doesn’t hold our sins against us, God doesn’t hold a grudge, He’s not keeping score.

As Christians, when we simply confess our sins to him, it is all forgiven and forgotten and He doesn’t even think about our past. So YOU need to stop bringing it up. If you’ve confessed, He has forgiven, and you’ve got a new chance to start over! And this morning, God sees you as forgivable.

V. YOU’RE CAPABLE

And then number five, God clearly says, “You’re capable.”

Philippians 4:13 (HCSB) I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

The Living Bible says, “He infuses me with inner strength and power.” It’s because of God that I’m capable.

Psychologists tell us that our self concept and our feeling of value, comes from what we think the most important person in our life thinks about us. Today, for you, maybe it’s a parent, or maybe it’s a partner, or maybe it’s a peer. I encourage you today, to let the most important person in your life be Jesus Christ.