The Aquarium Student

[Anemone]

During the spring semester, one of my students didn’t do so well on her exam.  She took a second exam, and she didn’t do well on that one either.  I could tell she was trying, but the score did not reflect her efforts.  Then, before the third exam came around, she asked me if she could talk to me about her testing environment.  She shared that she gets very nervous and anxious when taking the exam, especially when other students are done before her.  She feels behind, and anxiousness kicks in so we discussed potential accommodations for her.  I suggested she come early to take the exam, or I could provide her with an alone and quiet place.  She agreed to come early and took her third test.  Despite the changes, she barely passed.

However, the student was very thankful and expressed her gratitude to me.   About two weeks before the semester ended, she handed me a Long Beach Aquarium coupon.  She said with this coupon, I could buy the entire family a one-year membership for $40. (As a member, you can go to the aquarium any day for free.  A normal admission cost per person for an adult is $44, and a child is about $35 per day. ).  She continued that she works at the Aquarium and she was given a few coupons to pass, and because she knew I had children, she thought it was a good gift for me.  And indeed, it was.  I bought the membership with the coupon but I did not use it until a month later. 

I went to the aquarium with my youngest 3-year-old daughter and my mother-in-law.  When I saw the sea creatures and ocean animals, it brought tears to my eyes to see the beauty of God’s creations. 

Then, just last week, I went with my first and second daughters to the aquarium. As soon as I entered the entrance, I saw the student who had given me the coupon. We hugged and greeted each other. She even validated my parking permit. I asked her when her lunch break was and if I could see her during that time. 

During the student’s lunch break, I met the student just outside the aquarium. I had bought a bowl of fruit salad for her since she had said she had already eaten her lunch earlier during the morning break. 

Within 30 minutes of her break, she shared her life story with me. She shared that she was the youngest of five children and was paying her own way to go to college even though her older siblings had the luxury of getting financial help from their parents.  She added that about 3 years ago, she and her sister had left the house because her older brother was an alcoholic and was causing lots of physical harm to the older sister.  She added that her parents were not being supportive in correcting the brother’s behavior.  Here she is today, paying apartment rent, bills, and groceries with the money that she combines with her older sister.  She hopes to finish college soon, but it is taking her longer than other traditional students because she needs to support herself.

I wished I could have more time with her, but the only light I portrayed to the student was forgiving her brother and her parents.  I don’t know if she will, but my initial prayer was that she would forgive.

When she left to return to her work, my tears welled up. Then, she texted me, “Thank you, professor. I haven’t had fruits in a long time, but I am happy I had some today. God bless you.”  When I saw that text, I could not help but cry and cry. I cried not because I felt sorry for her because of her financial situation—maybe a little bit was there.

I cried because I was so thankful to Jesus that He had watched me and the student from above, blessing me and her. He had orchestrated all of the events prior to today so that I could share about forgiveness and fill her fruit cravings. 

Although this might be a small act of love, I could not help but be touched and blessed by the Holy Spirit right in front of the aquarium. Prayer with physical impartation all came crashing down, and I praised and thanked Jesus for giving me the chance to be the light and practice my faith. I prayed for the student’s financial hardship and that she would come out of it soon in addition to forgiving her family. 

The student’s “God bless you,” was her prayer for me.  I learned in HODAH that God bless you means God bless you to see the kingdom of heaven.  With her prayer, I saw the kingdom of heaven in front of the aquarium. 

A new semester will come very soon and I am excited to see how God will move.  He never fails to move during school days AND during my break.  He is moving all the time.

Amen.

[foreverthanks*]

아쿠아리움....


하나님의 아름다운 창조물들이
여기저기 헤엄치는 것을 보며
자매님의 눈에는 성령의 눈물이 흐르고~~~~



힘겨워하는 제자를 만나
용서기도와 사랑를 나누며
자매님의 눈에는 사랑의 눈물이 흐르고~~~~~




사랑따라~눈물따라~~~





하나님~~~
아네모네 자매님에게
더욱더 강한 성령과 눈물로 임해주세요~!!




^^

[테디]

Wow ~~ Incredible.
God !! Please kindly continously touch
our sister's pure heart.

[생명수 강가 2]

예수 안에서 만남을 복음의 통로로 쓰는 자매님
아버지의 사랑과 긍휼을 맛보았으니
그 사랑은 흘러가네요~~

그 학생을 사랑해주니 수족관 앞에서
성령은 눈물이시라~~
만남의 기회를 주셨구요~~

천국 복음~~ 가족을 용서하고 사랑하라고
가장 큰 blessing 을 전했네요~~

친구들, 제자들에게 빛과 소금이 되게하신
예수님, 성령님 감사해요~~~~💚💜💖