This is why I'm here

The school year has not yet started, but last night the phone rang. It was a student of mine from last year.

"Mrs. B., I need to talk to you about something..." And so he speaks, for probably thirty minutes or so.

I said very little. Mostly I listened. Asked an occasional question for clarification. Asked about him and God. Reminded him that he is way too hard on himself. Let him know that I still pray for him. Daily, about specific issues in his life. And listened some more.

"Thanks," he says. "I knew I could count on you."