Miss Thompson taught Teddy Stallard in the fourth
grade. He was a slow, unkempt student, a loner shunned by his classmates. The
previous year his mother died, and what little motivation for school he may
have once had was now gone. Miss Thompson didn’t particularly care for Teddy
either, but at Christmas time he brought her a small present. Her desk was
covered with well-wrapped presents from the other children, but Teddy’s came in
a brown sack. When she opened it there was a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with
half the stones missing and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to
snicker but Miss Thompson saw the importance of the moment. She quickly
splashed on some perfume and put on the bracelet, pretending Teddy had given
her something special. At the end of the day Teddy worked up enough courage to
softly say, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother and her
bracelet looks real pretty on you too. I’m glad you like my presents."
After Teddy left, Miss Thompson got down on her
knees and prayed for God’s forgiveness. She prayed for God to use her as she
sought to not only teach these children but to love them as well
She became a new teacher. She lovingly helped
students like Teddy, and by the end of the year he had caught up most of the
students.
Miss
Thompson didn’t hear from Teddy for a long time. Then she received this note:
"Dear Miss Thompson, I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be
graduating second in my class. Love, Teddy Stallard." Four years later she
got another note: "Dear Miss Thompson, They just told me I will be
graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The
university has not been easy, but I liked it. Love, Teddy Stallard." Four
years later: "Dear Miss Thompson, As of today, I am Theodore Stallard,
M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married
next month. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were
alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year. Love, Teddy Stallard."
Miss Thompson went to the wedding and sat where Teddy’s mother would have sat,
because she let God use her as an instrument of encouragement.
That's a wise friend!
She encouraged Teddy!
She exhorted Teddy!
She empowered Teddy!
What sort of friend are you?
What sort of friends do you have?
Do you need to wise up in your friendships?