We Walk on Water

This is from a book called Bless My Growing, by Gerhard Frost, who was a pastor and teacher in the Lutheran Church. It was published in 1974, and has been out of print for a long time. I still find myself coming back to this and other books by one of my favorite authors, a man of faith and simplicity. The subtitle of the book is, by the way, for parents, teachers and others who learn.

"But I never feel prepared!"
It was at a winter retreat
that a student said it,
and he spoke with the anguish of deep sincerity.
I was pleased when a counselor replied,
"But we walk on water all the time."

It is well to be prepared,
but we dare not forget that we are never fully prepared
for the tasks that are most worth doing.
The tasks that are worthy of us, as persons,
are often beyond us.
This is true of the challenge
of teaching.

Perhaps there is no effort
which is as total,
or which makes one so vulnerable
as teaching.
He who attempts it reaches beyond himself
and senses that his best is not good enough.
Humbling as it is, this work must not
discourage us.

As Christians, we who teach
truly walk on water all the time.
It is frightening until one remembers --
remembers and listens --
for across the broad waters comes the Voice, saying,
"Fear not, it is I."

What about you? Do you ever feel unprepared? If so, when?