I’m writing this from an empty classroom where an almost eerie quiet has replaced the normal barrages of life updates and laughter. 

You see, at my high school, each teacher has a student group that meets every day for four years called “seminar.” It’s a time designed to disseminate information, check grades, and facilitate progress toward graduation and life after high school. More importantly, it’s meant to give the students a community that serves as their high school family. 

Today, for the fourth time in my career, my senior seminar family said their final goodbyes and moved on to new post-graduation adventures, leaving a conspicuous silence in the middle of my day. A dull ache has weighed me down since my students left. I don’t want to end my school day sitting in my empty room, mourning the completion of this seminar.

I find that if I’m not careful, I tend to focus on the negative. Loss happens; this world hurts; wounds linger. And something within me tends to thrive on complaining. Yet, God calls me again and again to focus my heart on Him—to look at the brokenness of this world through the lens of His Gospel and to remember the blessings and grace He gives me.

In fact, when I take time to regularly count my blessings, my outlook changes. Since I know that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17, ESV), the result of remembering His gifts is praise. And praise changes my heart.

So, to help me praise God in the midst of my empty room, I have decided to pull out my “Smile File.” The kind notes from students and little mementos that I have placed in this special file over the years help me remember how God blesses me as I serve Him in this classroom. I know this sounds painfully cheesy, but I don’t regret starting it. As I add a few new memories to this file and look at this empty room, I’m overwhelmed by His goodness. 

My room may be empty, but my heart is not.  

Bobby Upchurch is a husband, father of four, high school English teacher, and pastor. He's passionate about teaching and communicating with others.