Tears from a Child

For the past 2 years I have taught a class of kindergarten aged children at a club run out of our church on Friday nights. I took over the class after a year of some difficult behaviour. I was placed there because I offered the firm, yet loving approach that they needed. It was successful. Two years later, the class has grown and the children - whom I have grown to love - have a structured and enjoyable environment to learn about God. They like the classes, and they like me.

But I wasn't happy, I wasn't where I wanted to be. I desperately wanted to teach the older group (grades 6 & 7), but that place was filled, and I couldn't find anyone who was willing to devote the time and energy to the kindergartners, so I was stuck. And God told me to stay and wait. Sometimes I really hate when He tells me to wait. But I did.

Two weeks ago, the leader of the older group had to quit for medical reasons and the only replacement we could find didn't want that class. She wanted to teach the Kindergartners. My wait was over, and with a nervous stomach I prepared for what I know God has called me to do. Lead the older kids.

My first week, I met the kids (all girls) and we got to know each other. By my second week, I was totally on fire. We got to talking about our Bible Lesson which was about how much God loves them and how special they are.

I closed my Bible and looked at them intently, "So what?". They looked blankly back at me. "So what?' I challenged them, "So why should this matter to you? How does this change your life?". Tentatively, hands rose into the air. "We are special, so we don't need to feel bad?" one girl towards the back offered.

"You are special." I confirmed, " SO special to the God who created the earth and heavens. YOU matter. YOU are valuable. No matter how alone you ever feel, you are never alone. God is always there for you." I continued along these same lines, desperately wanting to convey to these precious little girls how much they matter to God. As I finished, I looked around. Every eye was glued to me. Every girl was soaking in these words. As I looked around at them, one girl caught my eye. She was the only one not focused on me. Her eyes were on the table in front of her, her hands wiping away the tears that my words had brought to her eyes. Tears form the heart of a hurting child. She looked up and I caught her eye and we smiled at each other. That was it. She must have needed to hear that she was loved and special so very much...and now she knows.

I came home full of excitement over the feeling of God with us in our class that night. I spoke to my sister-in-law who used to teach that class. "I just never felt like I connected with them," she confessed. "I always wondered what they got out of the lesson.".

Confirmation. I am where God will use me best. I was used to touch lives. The feeling is indescribable, and totally addictive. I can't wait for Friday nights now. I am humbled and honored to be used as a tool of God. My prayer for everyone who reads this is that you will pray and seek your place in God's plan. That you will find it, and feel what I feel. God may ask you to wait, but it won't be forever.