STAAR is Over... Phew!

This past week, my 8th graders took their Math STAAR test. If you don't know, we have progressed from the TAAS we took when I was in school, to TAKS, and now to STAAR. This new test is supposed to have more rigor, be longer, and a lot more intense. Needless to say, the entire feeling around the school in the last few months has been anxiety of the unknown, stress of preparing our students, and pure exhaustion of both teachers and students. We have worked out tails off.

Tuesday morning, I woke up feeling a lot of pressure. I was thankful that in only a few short hours my students would be finished; however, I couldn't help feeling anxious about how they would do.

My principal came by first thing that morning to ask how I felt (truly probably already knowing the answer)... I spewed out my fears for my students and my stresses, and he just this... "Ally, remember: the battle is ours, but the outcome is the Lord's."

With those simply, but oh so powerful words, I felt my shoulders relax and tears of thankfulness formed in my eyes. How could I have forgotten? How could I have gotten so caught up in my fears to remember what the Lord says-- That fear is the opposite of faith. At at the end of the day, I have faith. I have faith that I did all that I could to prepare my students... Faith that I fought a good battle.

Now, I just need to wait for the outcome that the Lord already has planned.