One Heart At A Time: Inspirational Thoughts For Teachers

If you need a boost for a day of teaching, then you need One Heart at a Time. Fifty short devotionals are the ideal length for inspiration. Vicki Caruana has taught for many years and translates those regular experiences into her devotional thoughts. Here's one brief example from part of an entry called Tender Mercies: "When I became a teacher, I knew that I'd have to deal with difficult students, but I wanted to do it in a way that didn't crush their spirits. There would be plenty of opportunities to deliver judgment, but fewer chances to apply mercy. Sometimes students are just plain foolish, and harsh judgment is not the way to go. They will still experience natural consequences, but the life-giving result of your mercy as their teacher is quite powerful." Whether you purchase this book for a teacher or for yourself, you will gain encouragement.

"One Heart At A Time," is a series of daily devotional readings -- each one featuring Scripture, real-life stories, practical application, and prayer. After every five weekday readings, Caruana includes a special section for journaling and prayer: "Weekend Words To Prepare Your Heart." On every page Caruana challenges, encourages, and inspires us as teachers to live up to our high and holy calling. In the introduction, she writes, "If only we could get into their hearts! That's what I used to think would really make the difference with my students. What I realized is that getting to the heart is what makes the difference for all of us. Education reform is only as effective as the teachers charged with its implementation. Unfortunately, many of us are already discouraged and brokenhearted over what our jobs have become. It is less about teaching our students and more about policy. But we can reach and teach our students if we first allow God to do a healing work in our own hearts... Take time either before your day begins or at its end to meditate on God's truth. Renewal happens step by step and one heart at a time. Let the Holy Spirit open the eyes of your heart so that you can then open the eyes of the hearts and minds of your students. We can make a difference -- one heart at a time!"