Whew. I don't know where to start this post, but I think a little backstory is necessary so I'll start there. About 7 years ago I was teaching a few preschool Spanish classes for this great company that contracted with preschools and came in to teach Spanish a couple of days a week. Spanish?, you say. Well, yes. It's a little known fact that my degree is in Spanish. I spent half of college studying child development and the other half studying Español. I have a Hispanic soul. It's true. I am the whitest white person possible. They don't make a makeup color paler than mine. My legs could possibly cause car accidents in the summer from the glare bouncing off of their stark whiteness. One of my many nicknames in high school was Casper. (How do any of us survive high school?) But alas, my soul is Hispanic. I felt so very at home all of the times I went to Mexico on mission trips. So much so that I wanted to make their language my major. So I did. But, anyway, back to the story. About 7 years ago I was facing a huge decision. The wonderful woman I was teaching a few classes a week for was moving, and she was selling her business. And she wanted to sell it to me. It made perfect sense. It combined my two loves of Spanish and children and had the potential to be a fairly lucrative move. The business part scared me a bit, but I'm married to business genius so that wasn't very worrisome. I was very torn, however, because I was afraid it would take too much time away from my then 2 young children, and we were considering adding a third child to the mix. So as I struggled with this decision (and had pretty much decided I was going to tell her yes), I lay awake in bed one night. And I'm telling you the truth. It wasn't an audible voice, but just as clearly as anything I heard God say "No." "Don't do this." It was so clear that I was instantly certain that I had to tell her no and had unexplainable peace about that decision. He had spoken to me, and I knew it. So I told her I couldn't do it. I don't remember the exact timing, but I think it was a week or two later that I got a call from the Harpeth Hills preschool director, Kelly. It was totally out of the blue to me, but she called and asked if I would be interested in applying for a job to teach music at the preschool two days a week. I was floored. Ty was already attending the preschool, and Ansley was going to attend the following year. I love music so much, and I love children so much, and I just knew in that instant that God had arranged this and that my "no" was the way to this "yes". I hung up the phone and cried my eyes out. I can't explain it. It may seem really small, but I remember it as the day when I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that God was writing my story.
I started teaching at the preschool that fall and have been there almost 7 years. Well, I just finished my last week. I can hardly type it without bursting into tears because the kids in between those walls have my heart. The staff in between those walls have my heart too. It has been an incredible gift to serve alongside so many amazing ladies and get to love on hundreds of children as they came through the "music room" door. Teaching alongside one of my best friends made every day feel like fun. But, again, God is writing my story. And He has clearly called me to a new ministry. I am so, so very excited to be the new Children's Minister at the church where I grew up. It's a long, beautiful story that I'm sure will make it's way into a post soon, but after my last week at Harpeth Hills preschool I wanted to reflect a little on what I've learned during my time there. There have been plenty of funny times no doubt. Preschool is nothing if not entertaining. And while I'll take the memories of the little boy dropping his pants and peeing on the slide, the one of the little boy leaning forward and wiping his nose on my bare leg, the many boogers I saw consumed, the hilarious answers I got to questions, and so many more with me; there are so many real true lessons I've learned that I will take with me as well. Here are just a few.
1. Some of the hardest working, most dedicated people in the world are teachers. As with most things in our upside down economy teachers are often taken for granted. The women I have worked with the past several years pour their hearts and lives into loving children. They go home exhausted and start a new shift with their own children. They consistently give of themselves tirelessly. They go the extra mile to help that one child who is struggling with that skill. They pray circles around their kids. And are they ever creative?! If you think working with young children means you don't have to use much brain power you are sorely mistaken. Teaching requires mind, body and soul ALL DAY. EVERYDAY. I have vowed to never take for granted the men or women who teach my children. It is a lifestyle, not a 9 to 5. Thank you God for amazing teachers.
2. There is no such thing as a bad child. This is one premise on which I build my lifework. In 7 years of teaching Preschool and 10 of parenting my own kids I have seen just about every bad behavior you can imagine. I have seen kids act out in all kinds of ways, but I refuse and will always refuse to label a child as "Bad". Children are just that - children. They need the guidance of adults, and we frequently make our own poor choices. Some children exhibit bad behavior because they are going through terrible things at home. Some exhibit bad behavior because they are desperate for attention. Some exhibit bad behavior because they haven't learned a better way to communicate. But no matter what is going on with the child's behavior, you can take it to the bank. That child is made in God's image. A little bit of love goes a LONG way toward molding behavior. A lot of love just might change a child's entire life.
3. A child doesn't care what you want from them until they know how you feel about them. This is so important. When an adult has a place of authority over a child we tend to just expect instant respect and obedience. Well, that would be nice in a perfect world. But the bottom line is that most kids don't think that way. Blame it on culture or parenting or the fact that many adults in the world these days really aren't trustworthy, but kids aren't likely to blindly follow someone who is bigger than them. (Especially if you are only a few inches taller than them as in my case. Ha.) And, you know, while I want my kids to be respectful to adults, I also want them to be able to sniff out the ones who genuinely care for them. Kids will start responding to you differently if you show them that you care. Eye contact and smiling go a long way. A pat on the back or hug, caring about their stories, addressing them with their name, etc. all go a long way towards establishing that relationship. And better behavior will often follow relationship. And is this only true of children? Nuh-uh. I think the phrase goes "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Truth. Relationship is where it's at. (with two turn tables and a microphone)
4. Investing in a child is an investment you will never regret. Show me one teacher or parent who says "Man, I wish I just wouldn't have put so much time and energy into impacting that child's life." Of course no one says that! Investing in children is the investment that multiplies over and over. We many never know what impact we had on them. I won't know how many kids will remember a song I taught them about Jesus. I won't know how much confidence they gained by performing in that program. I won't know how many I gave a hug to on the day that they really needed to know someone loved them. But every investment has payout, whether we see it or not. Even when it seems that our children have learned nothing from us, they have. The Bible tells us to plant the seed and let God water it. Every seed we plant in a child's heart is something else for God to water. Which leads me to my most important lesson.
5. Jesus is crazy about children. He really is. You don't have to look very far in the gospels to find that Jesus adored these little ones. The least in our world are the greatest in His. That we know for sure. Every time you love a child by teaching or parenting or volunteering you are walking with Jesus. He entrusts His prized creations to us, and we get to love them. It is humbling and terrifying and amazing what a precious responsibility that brings. If you are holding a sick baby today, you are loving Jesus. If you are teaching a classroom full of rowdy kids and are on your last leg, you are loving Jesus. If you are babysitting your grandkids, you are loving Jesus. If you are reading books to your kids at bedtime, you are loving Jesus. When we care for His children we can know that we are bringing Him honor, no matter how big or small the task. I hope and pray that I have honored Him these last 7 years and that He will help me to continue to do that in my new role, because what else matters but honoring the One who gives me life and redeems me daily? "Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest." -Luke 9:48
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