The first time I spoke with this member, she was emotional, her voice breaking at times as she tried to explain her situation. A decision had been made by her principal that turned her daily planning and teaching space into a constant stream of interruptions due to students going in and out. Planning time was no longer productive, teaching felt fragmented, and despite her efforts to address it, she felt unheard.

During times like this, it’s easy to jump straight to strategy—policies, procedures, and next steps. But experience has taught me that before advice can be received, a person needs to be seen. So we paused and prayed.

From there, we began to walk through her situation together. She had already taken important steps to collect data and attempt communication with her principal, but she needed guidance on how to move forward with both wisdom and grace. We talked through practical next steps: continuing to advocate respectfully, considering alternative solutions for her workspace, and ensuring she followed the appropriate chain of communication.

But just as importantly, we talked about the importance of remaining calm when you feel overlooked, speaking truth without damaging relationships, and trusting God when the outcome is uncertain.

Over the next several days, she stayed in touch. Since she lives nearby, she even stopped into the CE office to receive prayer from the office staff. 

When it came time for a call with the superintendent of HR, she reached out again, not just for advice, but for prayer. She wanted the right words. She wanted to respond well, regardless of the outcome. And again, we prayed.

That call went well. Not because every issue was instantly resolved, but because she walked into it with a prayerful posture.

And then, a few days later, she received an update.

A doorway was added to an adjacent space that would significantly reduce the disruptions she had been experiencing, restoring her ability to do her work efficiently and well.

But what stood out to me most wasn’t just the resolution. It was her response.

“God is good—all the time,” she wrote in a follow-up email.

This is the kind of outcome we hope for at CE—not just changed circumstances, but changed perspectives.