When I found out that I would be serving at PopKids for my ministry, I went into this past week thinking that I had a great deal to offer to the staff because of my education degree and teaching experience. I planned to give my assigned teacher some guidance in classroom management, child development, and curriculum planning, in addition to loving on the children. Yes, I did love on those sweet babies, but I was so wrong when it came to what I thought I could give to the teacher in terms of training. I quickly realized that I didn’t have much to offer to this amazing woman, Mama Tiny, who shepherds and teaches ten toddlers (2-3 years olds) from 7am-5pm each day of the week. She is an extremely capable and strong teacher. It was humbling for me to realize that I could not do what she does as well as she does.
As I spent the first hour or so in her class on Monday, it was evident that my role was to simply assist Mama Tiny in the daily routines. I helped her in the classroom, took the kids to the bathroom during “wee-wee” time, helped serve food at snack and lunch time, and played with the kids outside. Even though there wasn’t much I could offer to Mama Tiny in terms of educational training, I was able to help her by taking over some of her responsibilities.
As I got to know her during the week, I learned that Mama Tiny is a single mom with a twelve year old daughter. The father of her child left when the baby was less than two years old. Tiny lives with her grandmother and daughter, and works hard to provide for her family. She also has a very strong faith and loves the Lord.
On Tuesday, after helping the kids in the bathroom and bringing them back into the classroom, Mama Tiny told me that she felt like a princess because I was making her job easier. My heart swelled with joy to know that the little ways I was helping relieved some of her burdens and made her feel so special. She continued to tell me each day that she felt like royalty having my assistance with her class. I told her that she is a princess because she is a daughter of God. She smiled and gave me a big hug.
Today was my last full day at PopKids, so I wanted to express my gratitude and admiration for Mama Tiny, as well as affirm in her who she is as a woman and mother. I wrote her a letter last night and gave it to her at the end of the day today. We sat down on a brick step together as she opened and read the letter. She commented on almost every line of the letter as she read it aloud, making remarks or sharing a little story about something I had written. After reading it, she said to me, “My friend, you have given me words that my heart needed to hear and be reminded of. My heart feels what you have told me very deeply and I am so glad. I am thankful God sent you here.”
It was a moving moment and for the first time all week I felt that God was using me for His kindgom. I truly connected with Mama Tiny and had so much fun with her this week. I will remember her as Princess Tiny. I know that I will see her again someday, and she will be wearing the crown of a princess given to her by her King.
