Summer is right around the corner! For many in our area, there are only about two weeks left of school… but who’s counting? As a teacher, it’s so close, I can smell the sunscreen, and I may or may not be already packing for our family vacation.

So close… and yet, these last two weeks or so feel like they may just drag on forever. Can you relate?I don’t know about you, but it has been a tough month. A tough school year. Maybe a tough three years? Is anyone else tired of hearing that? I’d like to move on from all the talk of how hard the last three years have been, but somehow we keep coming back to this conversation. Maybe because it really has been just that hard.

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We know life probably (okay, definitely) won’t ever go back to the way it was pre-everything. So much has changed. However, Hebrews 6:19 reminds us that we can have hope for the future.

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19

And yet… The now is still hard. The days feel long.I’m not sure how I will muster up the energy to song and dance my way through the rest of this year. I work with the littlest little people on an elementary school campus, and it takes just about everything out of me most days. I’m finding myself depleted and wondering how I can give my students all that they need over the next handful of weeks.

Sometimes the problems I am up against feel pretty near impossible. Each child in my classroom is unique, and walks through my doors with needs that deserve personalized attention. Sometimes it feels like no matter how much I do to help them, it will never be quite enough. There is always more to do or things I should have done better.

I want to give my students EVERYTHING they need, but as we wind down the year, most days I  find that I can only give SOMETHING. Whether it’s in the classroom, a parenting season, a relationship with a neighbor or co-worker, or even a random stranger we interact with, God wants to use us where we are. He will use our “somethings” to fulfill His purposes, so even if we don’t get to see the end results, we can walk in obedience where He has placed us and trust that He is at work.

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Maybe you’re a teacher like me and you aren’t really sure how to muster up the strength and energy for the last few weeks of school. Maybe you’re a parent trying to keep all the end of the year activities straight. Maybe you’re not either of those things and you’re just still… tired.

Did you know that the Bible speaks about tiredness, weary hearts and exhaustion? There are entire chapters of the Psalms on it! It’s real. Lucky for us, we have a Helper who is there to call on in those moments of weariness. He gives us the right portion of whatever it is we need – whether it is strength, endurance, patience, joy… He meets us where we are and knows what we need before we even know what it is we need. What a gracious God.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Wherever you find yourself on the spectrum of tiredness right now, in whatever season of life you are in, remember this: you don’t have to give EVERYTHING. In fact, I don’t recommend it, nor is it Biblical. But you know what we can do? Something. You can give something today, even if it is just your presence. Maybe it’s a smile or kind word to a stranger, or a safe place for children to learn or an ear to listen. Whatever something you have to give, that something is enough.Teachers, we see you and we know you are tired. Thank you for giving something everyday, even when it feels like you are running on empty. Thank you for your something – it is enough.

By: Kim Giron