When someone speaks a kind word or gives me an authentic compliment, I feel loved. Because of this, I try to put John 13:34-35 into practice by encouraging my coworkers in creative ways throughout the school year. I call this practice of uplifting the staff through small gestures “living love.”
However, all of my good intentions can get lost in the busyness of teaching once school begins. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, like I simply don’t have time to do one extra task.
But a few years ago, God showed me that He has built time to encourage others into educators’ schedules—the summer.
This extended break lets me spend more time with Jesus, renewing my energy, refreshing my focus, and inspiring me to love others well. So, to help me fulfill my calling to love others at school (a core purpose of my work as an educator), I prepare living love tools during the summer.
As you near the end of the school year, I want to share a few simple love tools that you can prepare this summer:
1. Notes of encouragement
Prepare hand-written messages that would make someone feel truly valued and cared for. Then, when someone needs a little bit of extra love during the school year, simply add whatever God is speaking to you that day about your coworker and put the note on their desk. Because the first part is already created, it only takes a few minutes to spread His love and uplift someone’s day.
2. A “You Are Amazing” notebook
Create a notebook for messages that compliment your coworkers. On the front of the notebook, put the title and directions. Once school starts, write the first message in the notebook. Tell a staff member they are amazing, listing what you see them doing and why you appreciate them. Then, place the notebook in their mailbox so they can accept the affirmation and encourage another coworker in the same manner. As it rotates around your school throughout the year, staff will read the words of life written about themselves and others.
3. Inspirational pencils
Order pencils with inspirational messages like “You are seen” or “You are loved.” Save them to put on your coworkers’ desks when pressure seems high (like spring testing season). By buying this resource in the summer, you will have these little, practical pick-me-ups on hand near the end of the year when you don’t have extra energy.
Love is tangible. Through small, intentional actions, we have the power to encourage others and point them to Jesus. Let’s prepare for future school years marked by living love!
