He Gives the Best (Part 3 of Betty's story)

Sometimes when we look for a miracle we are looking for the stupendous, the amazing outcome that no one would ever imagine happening given the circumstances. But oftentimes miracles take place through a series of events for which there is no other explanation. These events usually involve people who are in a strategic place at a strategic time. And like a tapestry  they are woven together, not always neat and tidy in appearance, but with lots of knots and tangles. Not until one stands in front can one clearly see the design.

Such was the case for Betty. Due to the divorce that she was facing, she began to worry about how she would make it financially.  There was no immediate path that she could see through her troubles. Her car was in disrepair, and the house had problems with a leak and several projects that Tony hadn’t finished. The yard was big--it took many hours to mow and maintain, especially since it also had a swimming pool. 

Still working at Target after the divorce, she didn’t see how she could make it on $7 an hour. Besides, she was already 56; she couldn’t imagine how she could eventually retire making that wage. She became aware of another position that opened up at Target, and reasoned that if she could get that position it would help financially. She applied, and was interviewed. To those of us who knew her, we thought she was the perfect candidate: she was dearly loved by all her co-workers, did an excellent job, never missed a day of work, and even though the hours were atrocious, she was always on time. 

However, she was turned down for that position. This was a major letdown. Why had they turned her down?? What other skills did she have that were marketable??

Then one day Betty got an unusual phone call. The lady on the other end of the line had been given Betty’s name while she was at her first China painting workshop In Louisiana; the demonstrator had asked her where she came from. When she replied, “Waxahachie, Texas” the demonstrator told her that there was a very good china painter in Waxahachie that she happened to meet at another convention, and that Betty could give her further instruction! She gave the new student Betty Hawkins’ number! 

Betty discovered that this mysterious caller was a neighbor! They agreed to meet, and as a result, visited each other in their respective homes. Although Betty would never formally teach her, they maintained a friendly relationship. It was wonderful that they lived in the same neighborhood, and from time to time they would share what they were doing with the china painting, an art form that they both enjoyed and at which they both excelled.

One day as the lady was driving down the road,  she saw Betty out walking. Betty usually walked with a walking buddy, who happened to be with her that day. She stopped her car and told Betty about another workshop she had attended and asked her to come see what she had been painting. 

At her house she noticed Betty was “not there.”  She asked her what was wrong. In reply, Betty burst into tears. Her walking buddy spoke up and said, “Her husband just divorced her.” The other lady said, “Do you have a degree??” Nodding “yes”, her new friend replied, “You can teach!” Betty was still working at Target; her eyes must have conveyed her thoughts: “what can I teach?!” Her new china painting friend blurted out, “Think about it!”  

Since Betty walked often, this lady would frequently see her and ask, “Have you thought about it?” Betty sheepishly replied, “I wasn’t born here, how can I teach here!?” But the lady was persistent. From time to time as she saw her walking she would stop and ask, “Any considerations??” Betty’s walking buddy finally said, “Tell her the truth!” 

One of the reasons Betty didn’t consider teaching was that she didn’t like to drive far! In fact, she avoided driving on the highways. She had looked online and saw that she would have had to go to Richardson for training!  The furthest she had driven from Waxahachie was to a street called Wintergreen in Desoto!  

Betty finally admitted, “I’m scared of driving there!” Driving to Richardson would involve major highways through Dallas! But her very persistent new friend exclaimed,“You can carpool!”  Betty reluctantly agreed,“Ok, maybe I can carpool.” 

After looking on the Texas teachers website, she narrowed her choices to teaching math grades 4-8. Math doesn’t require as much English! She obtained the math TAKS books and studied them. Once she decided to do that, her neighbor called and informed her of a school that could be reached without getting on the freeway! Go there and the principal will interview you as a permanent substitute. 

This persistent friend’s husband just happened to be the superintendent of the school!  Betty was hired at this school as a permanent substitute, and the superintendent was in charge of her salary.  He was very generous!

Betty finally decided to pursue the Texas Alternative Certifications.  With a GPS she made her first trip to Richardson without carpooling! Her heart was pounding. She was terrified-- people kept honking at her! But she made it!

After listening to Betty describe her terror of driving there, another friend told her an easier way to go to the training center; she followed her advice. The drive still terrified her, but she wasn’t as scared. With that problem solved, Betty now committed herself to comprehending all the coursework material and passing a multitude of tests. In 2008-2009 she studied for the two tests she had to take to clear the final hurdle of being a certified teacher in Texas; she failed the ESL and teacher certification test. So she retook them and passed!

In 2008 she quit Target!  In October 2008 she was blessed to be able to purchase a house in a nice neighborhood. It turns out, she just happened to be lucky to have two neighbors who had retired from education. 

In 2009 she got her math certification!! However, the school informed her that they needed a special education teacher. So she started studying for that certification. Betty thought to herself  “I have no clue about Special education.  How am I going to pass the test??!!” Although she spoke very good English, the voluminous new material with new vocabulary brought her to tears.   One day as she was feeling hopelessly frustrated, she looked out the window of her house and saw one of her neighbors that had retired. She felt an urge to go talk to her and tell her of the work she was doing on special education. This lady had recently retired as a social worker who also happened to know a lot about special ed, having worked in that field for 40 years!! She told Betty, “I can help you!”  How fortuitous!! From then on Betty spent about 2 hours a day with her for a month! 

Ready or not, it was time to take the test. In all Betty had to take four state tests in order to teach Special Ed at that school. In June 2009 Betty received her certification to teach special education!! She was elated! 

She was hired for her first job in special education in August of that same year.  Motivated by her own educational difficulties of her childhood in China, and by the kind teacher who understood her plight and tried to help her when she was going through such terrible times at home, Betty armed herself with sympathy and persistence. With her own understanding of how it felt to be the “low” student, and with her ability to administer firm but loving discipline, Betty  taught many “unteachable” children to “buckle down” so they could successfully pass their tests. She even met with students early before school. As long as they were willing to come in and apply themselves, she would be there for them. As a result, many learned to read, write and do arithmetic! One child was finally able to write her own name for the first time!

She could not have predicted that a chance meeting at a convention would lead to a chance meeting of a neighbor, who would encourage her to get her teacher’s certification in Texas. It was also a happy coincidence that this lady  was married to the superintendent, who would help Betty get her first full time job in education! And then she was, by chance, surrounded by two neighbors who retired from education, one of whom could coach her in studying for a certification in special education! Ultimately, all these chance meetings led to her getting a job in special education!!

Decades ago in China she had received some books from an Uncle. She recalled the verses on an enclosed bookmark that said “He gives the best to those who leave the choice to Him.” It was true!! Her faith in God had given her eternal life in Jesus Christ; but in addition to that, it gave her the benefit of praying to Him for guidance.

It was not always clear what circumstances were more than fortuitous as she was going through the rough waters of divorce, but looking back from a more peaceful shore, Betty could see clearly that the things and people who had chanced to come into her life at just the right time were not due to luck or chance.  

Rather, it was God who directed her steps, and who, according to Romans 8:28 “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Though tangled-looking, God was weaving each part of the tapestry of chance

IMG_2538.meetings to give her her heart’s desire: security for her future, and an ability to help

Sometimes when we look for a miracle we are looking for the stupendous, the amazing outcome that no one would ever imagine happening given the circumstances. But oftentimes miracles take place through a series of events for which there is no other explanation. These events usually involve people who are in a strategic place at a strategic time. And like a tapestry  they are woven together, not always neat and tidy in appearance, but with lots of knots and tangles. Not until one stands in front can one clearly see the design.

Such was the case for Betty. Due to the divorce that she was facing, she began to worry about how she would make it financially.  There was no immediate path that she could see through her troubles. Her car was in disrepair, and the house had problems with a leak and several projects that Tony hadn’t finished. The yard was big--it took many hours to mow and maintain, especially since it also had a swimming pool. 

Still working at Target after the divorce, she didn’t see how she could make it on $7 an hour. Besides, she was already 56; she couldn’t imagine how she could eventually retire making that wage. She became aware of another position that opened up at Target, and reasoned that if she could get that position it would help financially. She applied, and was interviewed. To those of us who knew her, we thought she was the perfect candidate: she was dearly loved by all her co-workers, did an excellent job, never missed a day of work, and even though the hours were atrocious, she was always on time. 

However, she was turned down for that position. This was a major letdown. Why had they turned her down?? What other skills did she have that were marketable??

Then one day Betty got an unusual phone call. The lady on the other end of the line had been given Betty’s name while she was at her first China painting workshop In Louisiana; the demonstrator had asked her where she came from. When she replied, “Waxahachie, Texas” the demonstrator told her that there was a very good china painter in Waxahachie that she happened to meet at another convention, and that Betty could give her further instruction! She gave the new student Betty Hawkins’ number! 

Betty discovered that this mysterious caller was a neighbor! They agreed to meet, and as a result, visited each other in their respective homes. Although Betty would never formally teach her, they maintained a friendly relationship. It was wonderful that they lived in the same neighborhood, and from time to time they would share what they were doing with the china painting, an art form that they both enjoyed and at which they both excelled.

One day as the lady was driving down the road,  she saw Betty out walking. Betty usually walked with a walking buddy, who happened to be with her that day. She stopped her car and told Betty about another workshop she had attended and asked her to come see what she had been painting. 

At her house she noticed Betty was “not there.”  She asked her what was wrong. In reply, Betty burst into tears. Her walking buddy spoke up and said, “Her husband just divorced her.” The other lady said, “Do you have a degree??” Nodding “yes”, her new friend replied, “You can teach!” Betty was still working at Target; her eyes must have conveyed her thoughts: “what can I teach?!” Her new china painting friend blurted out, “Think about it!”  

Since Betty walked often, this lady would frequently see her and ask, “Have you thought about it?” Betty sheepishly replied, “I wasn’t born here, how can I teach here!?” But the lady was persistent. From time to time as she saw her walking she would stop and ask, “Any considerations??” Betty’s walking buddy finally said, “Tell her the truth!” 

One of the reasons Betty didn’t consider teaching was that she didn’t like to drive far! In fact, she avoided driving on the highways. She had looked online and saw that she would have had to go to Richardson for training!  The furthest she had driven from Waxahachie was to a street called Wintergreen in Desoto!  

Betty finally admitted, “I’m scared of driving there!” Driving to Richarson would involve major highways through Dallas! But her very persistent new friend exclaimed,“You can carpool!”  Betty reluctantly agreed,“Ok, maybe I can carpool.” 

After looking on the Texas teachers website, she narrowed her choices to teaching math grades 4-8. Math doesn’t require as much English! She obtained the math TAKS books and studied them. Once she decided to do that, her neighbor called and informed her of a school that could be reached without getting on the freeway! Go there and the principal will interview you as a permanent substitute. 

This persistent friend’s husband just happened to be the superintendent of the school!  Betty was hired at this school as a permanent substitute, and the superintendent was in charge of her salary.  He was very generous!

Betty finally decided to pursue the Texas Alternative Certifications.  With a GPS she made her first trip to Richardson without carpooling! Her heart was pounding. She was terrified-- people kept honking at her! But she made it!

After listening to Betty describe her terror of driving there, another friend told her an easier way to go to the training center; she followed her advice. The drive still terrified her, but she wasn’t as scared. With that problem solved, Betty now committed herself to comprehending all the coursework material and passing a multitude of tests. In 2008-2009 she studied for the two tests she had to take to clear the final hurdle of being a certified teacher in Texas; she failed the ESL and teacher certification test. So she retook them and passed!

In 2008 she quit Target!  In October 2008 she was blessed to be able to purchase a house in a nice neighborhood. It turns out, she just happened to be lucky to have two neighbors who had retired from education. 

In 2009 she got her math certification!! However, the school informed her that they needed a special education teacher. So she started studying for that certification. Betty thought to herself  “I have no clue about Special education.  How am I going to pass the test??!!” Although she spoke very good English, the voluminous new material with new vocabulary brought her to tears.   One day as she was feeling hopelessly frustrated, she looked out the window of her house and saw one of her neighbors that had retired. She felt an urge to go talk to her and tell her of the work she was doing on special education. This lady had recently retired as a social worker who also happened to know a lot about special ed, having worked in that field for 40 years!! She told Betty, “I can help you!”  How fortuitous!! From then on Betty spent about 2 hours a day with her for a month! 

Ready or not, it was time to take the test. In all Betty had to take four state tests in order to teach Special Ed at that school. In June 2009 Betty received her certification to teach special education!! She was elated! 

She was hired for her first job in special education in August of that same year.  Motivated by her own educational difficulties of her childhood in China, and by the kind teacher who understood her plight and tried to help her when she was going through such terrible times at home, Betty armed herself with sympathy and persistence. With her own understanding of how it felt to be the “low” student, and with her ability to administer firm but loving discipline, Betty  taught many “unteachable” children to “buckle down” so they could successfully pass their tests. She even met with students early before school. As long as they were willing to come in and apply themselves, she would be there for them. As a result, many learned to read, write and do arithmetic! One child was finally able to write her own name for the first time!

She could not have predicted that a chance meeting at a convention would lead to a chance meeting of a neighbor, who would encourage her to get her teacher’s certification in Texas. It was also a happy coincidence that this lady  was married to the superintendent, who would help Betty get her first full time job in education! And then she was, by chance, surrounded by two neighbors who retired from education, one of whom could coach her in studying for a certification in special education! Ultimately, all these chance meetings led to her getting a job in special education!!

Decades ago in China she had received some books from an Uncle. She recalled the verses on an enclosed bookmark that said “He gives the best to those who leave the choice to Him.” It was true!! Her faith in God had given her eternal life in Jesus Christ; but in addition to that, it gave her the benefit of praying to Him for guidance.

It was not always clear what circumstances were more than fortuitous as she was going through the rough waters of divorce, but looking back from a more peaceful shore, Betty could see clearly that the things and people who had chanced to come into her life at just the right time were not due to luck or chance.  

Rather, it was God who directed her steps, and who, according to Romans 8:28 “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Though tangled-looking, God was weaving each part of the tapestry of chance

meetings to give her her heart’s desire: security for her future, and an ability to help