Making good grades always came naturally for me. I prided myself on my being an excellent reader. I was far ahead of the rest of my classmates. I received many accolades for my achievements and was inducted into honor societies in different grades. My dad is a genius, I'm not kidding, and my mother is no slow leak either. I was blessed with brilliant parents. Education and smarts were stressed so much in my home my dad always told me to make sure I had kids with a smart man so that my kids would be intelligent. Sienna's dad is a very smart man. I chose wisely on that. You can only imagine the confusion I felt when my daughter began to struggle in school.
When helping Sienna with her homework I would lose my patience as I silently compared her to myself at that age. It was frustrating no doubt for the both of us. I dreaded the evenings as my baby girl struggled to read and comprehend. So many thoughts ran through my mind. I just couldn't do it so I hired a tutor.
Finding a tutor for my child is just as nerve racking as finding a babysitter. I don't want any and everybody sowing into her life. And let's not talk about the financial aspect of it all. Private tutors don't run cheap. So you can only imagine the joy I felt when I found a retired teacher who offered very reasonable prices and was close to my home. I scheduled an appointment immediately.
When we went for the interview everything seemed fine. No red flags went up but I am no fan of leaving my little girl alone with strangers so I would sit outside his office door in the waiting area. This occurred two nights a week for almost month. As time went on I noticed the tutor was running late each session and didn't apologize for his excessive tardiness. I am stickler for time so after a few violations I politely said something. It was then I saw the true nature of the man within. Honestly I had noticed the evening before that he had made snarky remarks to one of the parents. He didn't know I was there. So when he got mad with me I wasn't surprised. I promptly let him know his services weren't needed anymore and that he could keep the tuition that I had paid him in advance.
This conversation took place in front of Sienna who was no doubt shocked at his behavior and disappointed by the fact she was no longer going to be tutored. It was at that moment I taught her that R-E-S-P-E-C-T is more than just an Aretha Franklin song but a way of life. I allowed her to dissect the interactions between the tutor and I and to tell me what she thought. She was right on the money. He was rude and wrong. After we got through that teachable moment she asked, "Mom what are we gonna do?" I told her we were gonna trust God because He knows what we need. In Matthew 6:25-26 Jesus tells us not to worry about our lives. God takes care of the sparrows and if He watches over them then will He do that much more for his children.
One day I received a letter from the school stating Sienna was going to receive FREE tutoring at her school twice a week! I couldn't believe it but then again I could because that is how my Father works. He never lets me go without. Sometimes I feel like I'm his favorite. No more rushing home to eat dinner to get to the tutor late in the evening. Our schedule is back to normal, Sienna's grades have picked back up, just in time for report cards next week. More important her father has become active in her life again and I know that it is God. I truly see a change in that man. He has been helping her over the phone with her homework and listens to her read some nights. I am truly thankful for this turn around in our lives. I can't wait to see what else is in store for us. Praises to The Most High God!
