It makes me a little sad when my students leave. However, a student's mother came to school the day after one graduation with a gift and a two-page letter, saying she had a nice impression of me and hated for her child to lose a teacher like me. She hoped that I could continue teaching her child after graduation.
We became so attached because of a minor incident. We were supposed to leave that day, but everyone kept waiting for that student and his mother. People started getting impatient and angry. By the time they got there, the driver ruthlessly rebuked her. I, on the other hand, was patient enough to welcome them with a smile.
When we left she texted me a long apology, but I wasn't offended so I comforted her instead. We stayed in contact after that. She asked me once out of curiosity why I'm always so patient with my students, I said from the bottom of my heart: "Because I love them."
This reminds me of a foreign teacher in college whom everyone respected. She's an American Christian; grey and aged yet full of spirit. Her eyes were glowing and there was always a smile on her face. We went to a food stand once and we both wanted THE snack, but there was ONLY one left. She let me have it.
Her students asked before why she came to China at such an age. She replied: "Because I've always loved China." Because of love, she took care of her students like a parent. There was a male student who didn't have fashoin sense, so she got him new clothes the following day.
Although none of those things were that terrific, the general impression on Christians is accumulated from little things in life.
I don't believe Christians should keep a high-profile about "love." True love will penetrate into our lives without a trace.
"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:3-4)
A sister in our church helped other members many times without asking for anything in return or talking about her good deeds. When I asked her why she always took the trouble to help others, she said she believed the Bible's teaching about helping out. Despite all this, she still says she doesn't love enough.
Would believers become poor from helping others? No.
On one hand, God greatly blessed her work and life. On the other hand, those who received her help will repay her twice as much.
Christians' love is very simple. Jesus has clearly told us to "love your neighbor as yourself." As long as we carry the love of Christ, we will gradually show different qualities wherever we go. For it is not from us, but God's essence.
-Translated by Grace Hubl
