**A Journey of Courage: From The Car Door to The Classroom**

Ah, first grade—those innocent days when the biggest worry was whether we would have enough crayons or find a friend to play with at recess. But for me, it was a whole different story.  I was a little bundle of anxiety back then, and being separated from my mom felt like the end of the world.

Back in those days, there was no pre-K or kindergarten to ease little kids into school. Nope, I went straight from home to what seemed like the impressive and gigantic hallwalls of first grade. My mom, who was a stay-at-home superwoman, stayed home and kept us busy (probably trying to keep her hair from turning grey). But every morning, as the school bus pulled up, I would just have a meltdown. On those days I would miss the bus.  Mom, bless her heart, would have to drive me to school.  I would be crying, clinging, and probably making it impossible to get out of the car. And then, in a scene straight out of a comedy, she’d have to give me a gentle but firm *push* to get me out of the car and into the school building. I can only picture what the teachers must have thought—seeing my mom walk into the classroom still holding her child, just moments after she was desperately trying to pull me out of the car door.

But amidst all this chaos, there was a shining star—Mrs. Taylor, my first-grade teacher. If it wasn't for her, I might still be hiding behind her desk, refusing to step into the big, scary classroom. Mrs. Taylor was the kind of teacher who could probably teach a class of wild monkeys and still make them sit quietly. She had a smile that could melt the coldest of hearts and had a way of making me feel safe even when I was trembling in my little school shoes.

Thanks to her I somehow managed to survive that first year. Without her, I might have been a permanent fixture in her classroom, the kid who refused to leave her side. But instead, I made it to second grade—probably still a little anxious, but a little braver too.

Looking back, I can’t help but laugh at those early school days. Who knew that my survival story would start with me being dragged out of the car and ending with a teacher who believed in me? 

**And to all the parents out there: Hang in there. Your little ones are just figuring things out—and sometimes, all they need is a teacher like Mrs. Taylor to get them through the door!**

**"The Journey to Inner Peace: Knowing Your True Worth in God's Eyes"**

 **The Power of Inner Peace: Why a Healed Person Doesn’t Take Everything to Heart**

In life, it’s easy to get upset when others say or do things that hurt us. But as we heal emotionally, we learn that what others say or do is often more about them than about us. A healed person understands that their words come from their own struggles.

Healing takes time and effort. It helps us build confidence and realize we don’t need to take everything personally. When we understand that others’ reactions reflect their own pain, we can stay calm and centered. This gives us peace, making us less affected by negativity and more focused on our own growth.

True peace comes from within. It’s about accepting ourselves and recognizing that we control how much others’ words impact us. When we stop taking everything to heart, we find a deep sense of calm and strength that stays with us through life’s ups and downs.

 **"Words can be empty and misleading, depending on the heart of the one who speaks them."**  The most important truth is knowing your value in God's eyes. His love and acceptance are what give us real worth, far beyond what anyone else might say or think.