Her reputation preceded her. She was coming with a bad reputation, a big mouth, and bright mind wrapped up in a petite frame.
What could have made a girl become seemingly so "hard", and always looking for a fight?
What could have made a girl become seemingly so "hard", and always looking for a fight?
Carmen was pretty, always well-groomed, and with a sharp tongue. Before she arrived, rumors had also flown about Carmen and Davon having a thing going on.
Classes at the alternative were frequently comprised of students of various ages and acquired learning but Carmen and Davon didn't share any of my classes. With paper-thin walls, I did hear the two of them going at it more than once tooth and nail in other classes.
Classroom teachers frequently had to double up due to a shortage of substitutes. During last period one day, I had a room full of students from different classes, including Carmen and Davon.
Classes at the alternative were frequently comprised of students of various ages and acquired learning but Carmen and Davon didn't share any of my classes. With paper-thin walls, I did hear the two of them going at it more than once tooth and nail in other classes.
Classroom teachers frequently had to double up due to a shortage of substitutes. During last period one day, I had a room full of students from different classes, including Carmen and Davon.
What an amazing 45 minutes! The students were so patient and taught me more than I could have imagined. They listened and responded candidly to my questions about risky behaviors. It was enough to break my heart.
And then a couple of the girls began braiding the boys' hair. The girls' limber fingers quickly wove intricate patterns in the boys' hair, no matter how short.
Eventually, it was Davon's turn, and that's when I saw it. No matter how loud or often I'd heard Davon and Carmen fighting in and out of classrooms, their mutual devotion was obvious.
Davon, always stressed and wound tightly, relaxed and looked peaceful. Carmen's jaw unclenched, her eyebrows smoothed out of the constant frown in her forehead. It was such a tender moment.
And then a couple of the girls began braiding the boys' hair. The girls' limber fingers quickly wove intricate patterns in the boys' hair, no matter how short.
Eventually, it was Davon's turn, and that's when I saw it. No matter how loud or often I'd heard Davon and Carmen fighting in and out of classrooms, their mutual devotion was obvious.
Davon, always stressed and wound tightly, relaxed and looked peaceful. Carmen's jaw unclenched, her eyebrows smoothed out of the constant frown in her forehead. It was such a tender moment.
"I don’t make decisions the way you do! Men (and women) judge by outward appearance, but I look at a man’s thoughts and intentions.”
1 Samuel 16: 7b TLB
The short intrusion into their tenderness gave me a whole new perspective on Davon and Carmen. I don't know if they were aware of the impression, or would have cared.
Two students taught me an important lesson, Dear Reader. No matter how gruff, surly, or "hard" we may appear on the outside, the Lord looks upon the heart. He sees the potential for good in all of us.
Are there people in your world, Dear Reader, that rub you the wrong way? Is it hard to see past their gruff exteriors at times? How do you manage to let the best in you see the best in them?
Two students taught me an important lesson, Dear Reader. No matter how gruff, surly, or "hard" we may appear on the outside, the Lord looks upon the heart. He sees the potential for good in all of us.
Are there people in your world, Dear Reader, that rub you the wrong way? Is it hard to see past their gruff exteriors at times? How do you manage to let the best in you see the best in them?
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