A Gift Beyond Measure

I was leaving Wal-Mart late tonight, Friday, sometime after 10:00 PM. I heard someone calling, "Mrs. Robbie!"

When I turned around I saw her, now a young adult, and I knew instantly who she was, though it's been some time since I last saw her.

I was her third grade teacher, and I looped with her class to fourth grade, so I taught her for two years.

When she entered third grade, she couldn't read.

I was determined that she would NOT leave third grade being unable to read.

We worked.

HARD.

She found it difficult to stay focued on any task. Sometimes, we sat together, just to two of us. I would hold both of her hands, and have her look me in the eye. We would practice sounds together.

I remember the day she read her first library book. She smiled more brightly than any student I had seen before, beaming actually, and exclaimed, "I can read!" I took her to the telephone and had her call her Sunday School teacher. She shouted, "I can read!"

When, I was putting my groceries in my car tonight, I said a prayer, "Thank you, Jesus, for giving me the privilege of being a part of her life."

And, as I drove home, I thought....I never heard her say, "Thank you for teaching me to read." But tonight, when she left the store, left her boyfriend in Subway placing her order, and followed me outside to say, "Hello," my heart smiled. It was all the thanks I needed.

And, I don't know who has received the greater blessing.