Simplicity

I am becoming absolutely humbled by kindergartners. They don't wear the masks I do and they are a whole lot funnier. Seriously.

In particular, one girl in our class says whatever comes to her mind and it is providence that this particular girl also attends a Bible class after school on Wednesdays. So, let me give you a taste of the joy I see Christ working through her:

 Uno: As we were getting our kindergartners ready to go home (a midst hollering and pleas for coat and boot assistance) I hear "Raise your hand if you want to go to Bible club?" My attention was piqued and I turned toward the shrill voice. She continued,"You get to learn about Jesus, AND you get chocolate chip cookies! Sometimes you get dorritos!" I had tunnel vision and I went straight for my notepad and a pen. I am not sure if some of the rug rats were pulling at me for help with their winter garbs, but I had one thing in mind-- THIS is what is important. This little sage is speaking from the heart and it is obvious that the Holy Spirit is dwelling there. So I listened as she continued, "God made us out of dirt. Isn't that crazy!! Jesus died on the cross for us! Isn't that crazy!!"  And isn't it crazy that He did this for us? Or am I too hidden behind the mask and focused on pressing forward that I don't take the time to feel? Well, her joy and truth spread into my soul and continues to do so. Why? Because she spoke the word. Simply. It is sharp and pierces even the marrow. I was pierced to the marrow. I hope something like that happens when you think on her words...on God's words.

Dos":  This morning I asked the little sage (or is it Sagette?)  what we can use in some tall buildings to go up in down. "You use the alligator."

Tres: Later in the morning I was walking through the room as the students did some origami that I thought would be way too hard for them. It wasn't. Chalk that up as another humbling experience. I suck at origami and thought they would too. Come on, they are only 5-years-old! Nope. Not only are they living with less masks then me. They are smarter too. Anyway, that was an uncalled for digression so I might delete that later. So, I was walking around and I hear, in that same shrill voice, "We are Jesus' lambs." Apparently somebody at her table disagreed (probably trying to politely correct her on the fact that we are not sheep) and she responded with more passion that we are probably used to, "YES WE ARE!! I am Jesus little lamb!" And the depth of the matter thumped me around a bit. Feelings for my wife and her vulnerability and tenderness flooded my mind (that is her favorite hymn and she often sings it when she is tired or stressed) and I looked at my little student and saw how distraught she was concerning this kindergarten heresy. So I walked to her side, put my hand on her back, patted her, and then got down to her level and said to her, "You are Jesus' little lamb. Never forget that, o.k.?" And I pray she never does. Even when her family and friends dismiss these "myths" she has been introduced to. Because, like story uno, the word of God pierces the heart...deeper than the marrow. Praise God for such a gift that dwells so richly in the simple and unmasked life of a 5-year-old.