Just Be Real

I have found that, for me, the best way to learn something is to teach it. I first learned this to be the case, when I taught grade school children bible stories. I worked as a representative of Child Evangelism, in the public school system. I needed to have my class as an after school program.

We met in one of the classrooms.

 Children from first grade through fifth grade would gather to sing songs, play games, and do a craft sometimes. I told the students a bible story finishing by asking if there was anyone who wanted to ask Jesus into their hearts.  In a private area, I prayed with each child that responded as my helper continued to sing with the others.

 I have a bible that each person wrote their name in after we prayed. We called this group “the Happy Day Club”, a pre-determined name given by the Child Evangelism Organization. When my son was three or four, he would go with me to the school where my first grade daughter would come and bring her friends.

But the main point of this story is to recall the way we learn and influence others.

I had heard the stories that I taught, as a child in Sunday school. The characters were familiar and the outcome was predicted. But it was the retelling of each, in the way that I felt kids could learn it best, that sealed it in my head.

One of the most valuable parts of this experience

 is one I learned years later.

We have no idea of the influence we have in our children’s lives at times. Yes, both my children at a young age came forward to accept Jesus (and write their names in my bible). Were they watching my example? Could others have been looking at their example?

I am not sure, but what I do know is sixteen years after Angela, my daughter, came with her first grade friends to Happy Day Club, she started teaching a classroom of fifth graders. She is a sought after educator who values the children’s lives.

Angela had many teachers, I know, but when I watch her lead these fifth graders to grasp concepts, I wonder if I had an influence in Happy Day Club.

“I may not be a smart (wo)man . . .”

A quote taken from a familiar movie is what I think of, but don’t utter, when I am the one instructing others. I go into the time of teaching, knowing that I could never do it on my own. I know the truth in God is Love. (So I do know what love is . . . just sayin’.)

A thorn in the flesh. . . . My lot in life

The first part of this phrase is commonly attributed to the apostle Paul, signifying his need of God’s grace. So that he didn’t get too “full of himself” as he shared the greatness of the message that he had been given, he had a ‘disability’ of some kind. This made it more obvious that he relied on God.

So I will follow suite, thank you Paul, and instead of wondering why I have been given this weakness, I will rejoice that I am relying on God to get my thoughts straight and my tongue untied.

This is me

I have shared some of my shortcomings with you, although there are many more issues that I haven’t shared, . . . yet. I trust that won’t make any of you turn around running, but that you might share something with me. We can laugh together and cry together. We will see that we all need each other.

So come with me on this venture of life, and let’s just be real.