The Teacher Who Changed Me

Growing up, I often felt bad and complained quite a lot about not having had a 'birthday party". Perhaps I had had one but I simply could not remember. What I did remember was hearing my family say to me, “don't worry; we will celebrate your birthday side by side Christmas,” being that I was a December baby. At first, I loved the idea of Jesus and I having a birthday party together. Not until I later realized that it was a big scam, because nobody ever remembered to as much as wish me a “happy birthday” on those days, neither did they get me any presents. Stay with me, I’m going somewhere with this.

We moved to America when I was about four years old or so. Upon getting there, my mom wasted no time scouting for a church for us to attend. My aunt T (one of my favorite Aunties) first took us to an African American church. But unfortunately, we barely understood what was going on in the church. Although we did like the music, it was a bit too boisterous and overwhelming.

The next Sunday, she took us to a smaller church, called 'The Church of the Nazarenes', Huntsville, Texas. We were the only black people in the church but it was so homely and everyone treated us with much kindness and love. That church became our church.

That was where I met my unforgettable Sunday school teacher; Mrs. Mosley. Mrs Mosley was a really nice lady and she had an amazing husband who supported her in everything. You all know how important that is.

The Pastor (Pastor Butler) of the church and his family were just as lovely.

Now, it was a few days to my 7th birthday. We were at the church trying to get started with Christmas preparations. Mrs. Moseley and my mom were having a conversation and I could hear them. She spoke to my mom about Pearl Harbor; a very important date and event in American history. She said it took place on the 7th of December annually. In response, my mom mentioned that the date coincided with my birthday. That was all Mrs. Mosely needed to hear.

Plans begun for my first official surprise birthday (the one I can remember).

Mrs. Mosely asked my mom to dress me up and get me to church on time.  There I was in my newly purchased navy blue polka dot dress, my little made-up face, and all the joy my heart could bear. You can never imagine my joy and excitement when we got to church and there was a huge cake with my name and lots of gifts from my church members. I got my first scrabble game, my Mr. T game and so many other nice gifts. I felt so loved and was extremely happy. The memory of that day will remain with me for as long as I live.

The church became more interesting for me from that day. We had our own unique “Halloween celebrations” since we could not trick or treat like other kids. We had sleepovers at church, movie nights, slumber parties at our youth pastor’s house, Christmas plays, summer camp and so much more. It was always absolutely fun.

There are so many other things I remember from that church. We got our first bikes from there, my mom had a baby shower organized by the church for her, we always had Dunkin' doughnuts if we got to church early (probably the reason why my big sister and I are still obsessed with doughnuts). We never felt out of place or unloved. Indeed, the church fast became one of my favorite places to be.

Few years down the line, my dad had finished school and we were packed and ready to move back to Nigeria.

Before we left, Mrs. Mosely (my Sunday school teacher) handed me one of the most precious gifts I would ever receive. It was a pink New Living Translation (NLT) children's Bible with pictures. It was my first bible. No one had ever given me such a treasured gift and I cherished it like life itself. I studied every page and part of the bible, read all the animated pictures, and just made it my best friend.  So began my love for the bible and friendship with God. Before this time though, my mom had always taught us about God and loved Him dearly herself. But having my own bible made everything so real.

People who meet me are often amazed at how well I know my bible and the nature of my relationship with God. The truth is, I owe a lot of that to my mom, a wonderful church that took interest in everyone and an amazing Sunday school teacher who took her time to show me the practical love of God. She showed me so much love. Today, I can hardly remember a single Bible lesson Mrs. Mosely taught me at Sunday school, neither can I remember any sermon Pastor Butler preached, but I do remember the way they loved us; my family and I. I remember how they made us feel.

The church should be that place where people go to and leave feeling better than they came, a place where people feel loved, a place where children and the children's arm of the church matter just as much as the adult church. If the church gets it right with the children, the struggle to get them straight as adults will be less tough.

People may find it hard to remember the words or beautiful sermons they hear, but they definitely do remember real love and how good they were made to feel around us and in the church.

I cannot end this without saying that teachers are special people and gifts from God. I look at Nailah and I often marvel at how her teachers have been able to get her to understand some of the most difficult concepts. I see kids at church doing some crazy choreography and I am awed at how their teachers got them to get it right.

I look at my mom and my older sister and I have new-found respect each time for them, for how well they helped raise me. I feel the same way about most of the teachers I have come across in my life.

Some teachers acquire their skills from their education while others simply learn on the go. In the span of our lives, we will come across different kinds of teachers, some will shape us for good and some may try to scar us. Today, I just want to focus on the teachers who shaped us for good, as well as express a high level of gratitude for all of them who took a little extra time to show real love to their students or help them find their true identity.

Jesus Himself was an amazing teacher. That was why he was referred to as Rabbi and in fact, the rich, young ruler called him “good teacher”.

To every “good teacher” out there, no matter your subject or skill level, I just want to say thank you.

To all the teachers at my children's school who have made learning a fun experience for them and created a haven for them, thank you and God bless you.

My most profound gratitude goes to Sunday school teachers worldwide who may never receive a gift on 'Teachers Appreciation Day' or any other day. May God bless you beyond measure.

Dear reader, has any teacher shaped your life for good? Please share your story with us if you have one. We would love to read and be encouraged.