Lessons from Kindergarten...

Snack time...

Nap time...

Children have it made...and they could actually teach or remind adults about a thing or two.  There is a reason why the Bible says that we are to humble ourselves and be like children (Matthew 18:3 ESV).

Children are born trusting...until someone teaches them otherwise.

Children are not born prejudice...until someone teaches them otherwise.  

Children pretend to be superheros because their imagination knows no bounds...until someone teaches them otherwise.

Children think they can be or become anything they want...until someone teaches them otherwise.

Children question and possess a wonderment about everything, constantly asking "Why?"...until someone teaches them otherwise.

"Because" is our kryptonite.  "What can't I become a _(fill in the blank with your own dream role)_?" "Because college is too expensive/too long/too hard to get into...Because that's the way we have always done it...Because being a _(fill in the blank with your heart's desired role)_ won't pay the bills/isn't realistic." Because...Because...Because... 

Not only did we give up snack and nap times when we grew up but apparently we also gave up our sense of wonder, excitement, ability to dream, hope, imagine and sometimes even play.  Perhaps that is why Christmas is such a beloved and anticipated holiday.  (Being a Christian I know the real reason for the season, however, there is still a part of me...my inner child barely hanging on...who still gets really excited for Christmas morning, opening presents, the lights, the decorations and all that the holiday entails...if just for a moment, allowing that inner child out with a a sense of giddiness, wonder and merriment.)

What would happen if we questioned the status quo per se?  If we started asking "Why?" again and stopped accepting "Because" as an acceptable answer?  Milk and cookies are not so bad and neither is playing nice in the sandbox.  Perhaps some of life's and the world's current issues could be solved by remembering and implementing the lessons we learned in kindergarten...

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten
by Robert Fulghum

Most of what I really need

To know about how to live

And what to do and how to be

I learned in kindergarten.

Wisdom was not at the top

Of the graduate school mountain,

But there in the sandpile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don't hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don't take things that aren't yours.

Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Flush.

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

Live a balanced life -

Learn some and think some

And draw and paint and sing and dance

And play and work everyday some.

Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out into the world,

Watch out for traffic,

Hold hands and stick together.

Be aware of wonder.

Family Tree...

As the saying goes, you can choose your friends but not your family.  While at a women’s conference at my church recently I was reminded that Jesus Christ’s lineage began with Rahab, a prostitute who was redeemed through her faith.  Hearing this story was very timely as I navigated feelings and emotions after learning that my biological father, with whom I have been estranged for the past thirty five years, had a stroke and his prognosis was grim and dire.   Not that I am comparing my family tree to Jesus’ by any stretch of the imagination, however, the past couple of days have provoked some serious soul searching.  In contemplating my thoughts, I do not want nor is it my place to judge him or anyone for that matter because I realize my glass house would not withstand any reciprocated judgment.  I was reminded at the conference; however, that what I am called to do is be the hands, feet and love of Christ to a hurt, broken and dying world.

At the conference, one of the speakers said that we could have been born at any point in time but God selected this day and age for our existence because he predestined a task for us; we have a purpose and a mission to bring glory to God’s kingdom.  I have long dreaded this day, the day when I would face my biological father’s mortality and any potential decisions and responsibilities that ensued.  Just as God preordained my existence, His hand is all over this situation.  I could have been born to anyone, at any time, to a “perfect” family with storybook interactions and marriages where everyone lived happily ever after.  Had that happened though, I would not have been able to look into the teary eyes of a wife whose marriage is in despair, pray for a daughter whose relationship with her father is severed, and truly, honestly and from the bottom of my heart say “ I understand what you’re going through.”  See, I believe we go through the trials and tribulations that we do so that we can hold the hand of someone and help them see through the forest of desperation and heartache.

Facing the challenges of the past couple of days, I realize the events are playing out just as they were intended.  No other point in time would I have been able to offer the mercy, forgiveness and love of Jesus to pray for my biological father.  I did not realize, know or fathom until now that God was healing and preparing me, at my paternal grandmother’s funeral, at the women’s conference just this past weekend, etc., for this exact moment in time.  I am truly absorbing into my soul that, where we began is not as important as where we end.  A race’s finish line would not be as gratifying had we not previously put in the hard work of training and actually running the race; a trophy for participation, without sweat, is not as sweet.

So, again I say, you cannot choose your family…but perhaps the question is not who God entrusts us to, per se, as much as who He entrusts to us.