This month, I had the privilege to volunteer in a Kindergarden with my sweet teammate Alicia. If I am being honest, neither of us jumped up automatically at this opportunity. We both knew we could be stretched and challenged by doing this together this month.
There were two things I wasn’t expecting we would encounter this month.
One being, we worked with kids that majority were from the Middle East.
Second, I saw Gods love in so many ways.
Meet sweet Lilly.
She is a bundle of joy! Lilly would sit in my lap and lay her head all the way back. I would try to stop her so that she wouldn’t fall or hit her head.
She’s three and has no fear. She would respond with “No teacher, stop. Let me go!”
So I let her go. I would hold my hands out for her to grab on and she would giggle and lay there for a minute. Eventually, she’d reach up and grab my hands and snuggle into my arms.
The Lord spoke the most gentle words to me…
“This is how you and I are. Sometimes you want me to let you go. You want to do things on our own. Just like Lilly you reach up for my hands and let me embrace you.”
Nap time comes around and Lilly crawls up into my lap. I start to hum a song and play with her hair. She grabs my left hand and holds on tight. In an instant, she’s fast asleep dreaming about whatever three year olds dream about.
God whispers, “My Beloved, just rest in my arms this season as this child of mine rest in yours.”
The worst part of the day. Putting Lilly in timeout. I hate that feeling of having to teach a child a lesson when you know in the moment they are hurting. Lilly has a mind of her own, which means sharing and listening is hard to come by for her sweet self.
I was telling her if she finished her workbook then she could color. For this sassy girl, it was the end of the world. She didn’t understand. She just wanted to color.
I was sitting with her while she was crying and saying, “Teacher color. Teacher please.”
God again, gently whispered “I know it hurts when I ask something of you or am trying to teach you something. My child, don’t you see my love for you is greater than the hurt.”
My second to last day, Lilly and I are giggling and full of joy. She looks at me with those big brown eyes and says, “Teacher, what is your name?” I say, “Teacher Courtney.” Her reply, No teacher! It’s Mommy.”
Oh my soul.
I looked at her with tears in my eyes and said “No, it’s teacher Courtney.” She then proceeded to just snuggle into my arms and I got to hold onto that moment for a few seconds.
Then again, as I wasn’t expecting it, The Lord said those words that every girl longs to hear. “You will have your own children one day, but thank you for showing MY children my unconditional love.”
These moments will forever be etched into my heart. The words I heard from my heavenly Father and also the sweet moments I had with Lilly.
JANUARY 1ST DEADLINE: I have 6 more days to raise $3,418.00. Please consider joining me this Christmas in support and prayer to allow me to stay on the field. I want to be able to pour out Gods love onto kids like Lilly.
