Trust

I caught one of my favorite students cheating today.  Twice.  And she has started sassing me.  I am one ticked-off mother hen.

Trust is an interesting thing.  She has always been one of my most reliable and helpful students.  She was in my class last year, and when I moved up a grade, I kept her on purpose because she helps me out so much.  She loves helping.  I don't want to give consequences, because it will hurt me too.  It kills me that I feel like I can't rely on her anymore.  We will be having a little chat in the morning about her recent escapades and I will be firing her from her class job.  She loves filing papers in my office.  But...I can't have an untrustworthy student in my office, now can I?  Grrrrrr.  I'm sure there will be someone else willing to do it...for a reward.  Grrrrrr.  Maybe she is just growing into those ridiculous hormonal years and she feels like she needs to be cooler or prove something or pretend like school is horrible like they all do at this age.  Give me back my sweet fifth graders!  Maybe it's all those cute boys she is trying to impress...It starts.  You think you know a girl...

So...Trust: 

I found this cute little article about trust that I might share with my class.  I like the two examples he gives about the teacher and the car.  The thing I like best however (which unfortunately wouldn't be appropriate in the classroom), are his suggestions of sources to which we can turn in which we can always trust.

1. We can trust in Heavenly Father.  We are his children.  He hears and answers our prayers.  He loves us and will always be there for us.

2. We can trust Jesus Christ. His teachings tell us how we should live our lives so that we can return to live with Him again.

3. We can trust the Holy Ghost.  If we listen to His promptings, He will lead us and guide us and help us make right choices.

4. We can trust our parents.  They love us and want what is best for us.

5. We can trust the prophet.  There is always safety in following the prophet.

6. We can put our trust in the scriptures.  They are true and will give us direction in our lives as we read them every day.

7. We can trust teachers and leaders.  They love us and are teaching us the things that Heavenly Father wants us to do.

I believe these seven things.  I believe I can trust in them.  I think these are the things that keep me honest and a trustworthy person.  While that is important, it is also important that we continue to forgive and trust others, especially when they have made mistakes.  Give room for repentance.  This doesn't mean we have to be foolish.

But, it does mean that we need to constantly soften our hearts to those who break the trust we have given them and freely give trust to all those we meet.