Crazy or Called?

 I recently was asked this question….

“Were you born crazy, or did you decide to become crazy when signing up to be a teacher?”

My answer was that I was both….and I laughed it away.

Later that night, the question hit me again.  Am I crazy? After all, according to dictionary.com, there are thirteen different definitions for the word crazy.  Crazy can mean demented, insane, senseless, impractical, or mentally deranged. It can also mean passionately excited, infatuated, wonderful, or intensely enthusiastic.

In the second grade I felt a nudge in my heart from God.  He clearly told me that I was going to be a teacher when I grew up.  From that moment on, every path I chose had me running toward a teaching degree.  Every job I had, every class I took, every extra curricular I chose; all were chosen with this purpose in mind.

As I have now entered my tenth year of teaching, I will be quite honest in saying I have had many conversations with God about this calling. I have questioned my ability and my effectiveness in this profession.  I have even questioned if I am truly crazy. This profession, this mission field, this path, has changed tremendously.  It’s not as cut and dry as it used to be.  Teachers now have to worry about safety for themselves and their students, they have to worry about different types of situations, and they have to worry about the tests and standards they must rise above daily.  From an outsiders perspective, those of us in this profession probably do seem a little crazy.  If I were looking from the outside in, I probably would as well.

So; am I crazy?  Yes. I am crazy.  I am called.  I have been called to be a part of this crazy world of education.  I will continue to be so until God decides otherwise.

What world of crazy have you been called into?  Hang in there.  It’s the crazy calling you were meant to be a part of!