So I went to work and observed my students behavior and this is what I saw and will compare it to the Bible.
1. Children don't dwell on mistakes or getting hurt
Philippians 3:13 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended it, but this one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."
I watched a child run towards a yellow bouncy ball but she tripped and fell down. She made a sad face briefly but then got up and ran and picked up the yellow ball. She didn't sit and dwell on the fact that she fell down and say over and over, "I fell down! I can't believe I fell down. I can't have that yellow ball now because I fell down." Nope. She got up and picked up the ball and kept going. Which is what we need to do.
Philippians 3:13 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended it, but this one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."
I watched a child run towards a yellow bouncy ball but she tripped and fell down. She made a sad face briefly but then got up and ran and picked up the yellow ball. She didn't sit and dwell on the fact that she fell down and say over and over, "I fell down! I can't believe I fell down. I can't have that yellow ball now because I fell down." Nope. She got up and picked up the ball and kept going. Which is what we need to do.
2. Children live in the moment
Matthew 6:31-34 "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
3. Children hear the teachers and TRUST
John 10:27 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
I talk to my children all day, all the time. I never stop talking in my classroom which is why my throat hurts at the end of each day. But when I tell my children, "We are going to have snack today", a child has never once asked me, "Are you sure we're having snack today?" or "Are you really going to give me snack today?" Sounds silly right? But we do it all the time, I have done it. Even when God has clearly told me He would provide for me, or give me something I have been needing I still worry in my head, "Is it really going to happen? Are you sure God?" Yet children, they hear something and they believe it and they know it will happen. It never comes as a worry, a question or a concern. They just accept and TRUST.
John 10:27 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
I talk to my children all day, all the time. I never stop talking in my classroom which is why my throat hurts at the end of each day. But when I tell my children, "We are going to have snack today", a child has never once asked me, "Are you sure we're having snack today?" or "Are you really going to give me snack today?" Sounds silly right? But we do it all the time, I have done it. Even when God has clearly told me He would provide for me, or give me something I have been needing I still worry in my head, "Is it really going to happen? Are you sure God?" Yet children, they hear something and they believe it and they know it will happen. It never comes as a worry, a question or a concern. They just accept and TRUST.
4. Children enjoy the day by doing things that make them happy
Proverbs 17:22 "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
Nehemiah 8:10 "Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some
to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do
not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
When I come into work, I ask my children what do they want to play with. As they play with their toys, draw with crayons, play with puzzles, dance to music, the expressions on their face shows that they are truly enjoying what they are doing. I understand that not everyone was dealt a decent hand in life, but no one in this world can mentally and physically force myself or anyone to NOT enjoy life. As I stated in a previous blog, I have the liberty and freedom to truly enjoy my life and do what I love and anyone else can to.
I had a child once sit outside and just look at the sky, he told me the sky was pretty blue and told me what shapes the clouds were making. He simply was enjoying the sky itself, nothing else. If all else around you is failing, just see the sky and see all the beauty God has made for us to enjoy. It's free. And feels the gust of wind blowing all around you as if it's hugging your body and bringing you a moment of peace.
Life is simple but humans.......we complicate the hell out of it. And we shouldn't have to.
