Beatitudes for Educators

Every September our church sets aside time during Sunday services to recognize and pray for the many in our church family who serve in the field of education one way or another. We honor educators of quality, character and skill—people to whom we entrust the precious lives of our children for wisdom and instruction.

This year, as we pray for them I will be reading the “Beatitudes” of Jesus (Matthew 5:1-12) to the congregation with a special application to educators that I’ve prepared. Truly these people are models of the “salt” and “light”
Jesus calls us all to be in our world.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit”

So, blessed are you…when your frustration level is so high and your human resources so low that you realize you must turn to God for renewed strength.

“Blessed are those who mourn”

So, blessed are you…when your heart is broken over how cruel people can be to other people and over how little children can become innocent victims of violence, even to the shedding of blood. Blessed are you when you grieve over the children who come to school with the deck already stacked against them because their house is not a home and they have no real role models or incentives for being good.

“Blessed are the gentle”

So, blessed are you…when you turn the other cheek, walk the second mile and continue to work with patience in a situation, even when it seems just about impossible.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”

So, blessed are you…when your frustration over the lack of learned values, moral standards and discipline make you want to chuck it all, but you stay committed to your education task as a calling from God and you don’t forget the importance of your own moral nourishment.

“Blessed are the merciful”

So, blessed are you…when you reach out your hand to a child desperately needing love and care and concern and assistance, who may not find it from anyone other than you.

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“Blessed are the pure in heart”

So, blessed are you…when you maintain your moral standards in the face of temptations to cut ethical corners and when others see you take your stand on principle, no matter the cost to you.

“Blessed are the peacemakers”

So, blessed are you…when you intervene in the cause of peace, even at personal risk, and help children who don’t like each other to learn at least how to live civilly with each other and to practice the “Golden Rule.”

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness”

So, blessed are you…if you are ever belittled or have to put your reputation or career on the line and pay a price for following the best values.

In all this God is well pleased with all you do and, in the end, that’s what really counts.


By Donald P. Shoemaker
Senior Pastor,
Grace Community Church of Seal Beach, California Chairman, Social Concerns Committee Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches