You will no doubt learn something about human nature, if you ever have a chance to observe children. I took my place in the back of the room and began to watch how 2 to 5 year olds interact. The Bible story was over as one began to talk about dinosaurs and was getting everyone’s attention; another child spoke up and told the class about an alligator in her bathroom. The attention was diverted to the alligator story, then back to a newer bigger dinosaur story. The tug of war over who got the most attention went on around the table until they bored of the competition, and went about the next topic which today was coloring. Personalities were exposed as some stayed within the lines and others just hurried to get color on a page to say they finished first. Still there was at least one who hadn’t quite decided what color to use and when they did, of course it was the color some other child was already using.
What is it about human nature in that we cannot seem to celebrate one another’s strengths and augment and supplement when need be, others weaknesses?
Romans 12:10 (KJV) “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
The charades continued through snack as the little ones observed who was eating what and how they went about it. I didn’t realize there were so many ways to eat a cheese stick and a graham cracker. Like I said you can learn a lot from watching children.
When the class time was about over the little ones were allowed free time. I was surprised how many little guys like to cook and do laundry. Not surprised the little girls went for baby dolls and strollers. When one child went to take what he wanted from another child the teacher reminded him, “We don’t take toys from other children we share.” The next time he went to take something else he wanted he said, “I’m just sharing.” I laughed to myself as these little ones were by nature justifying their actions and figuring out how to get along with one another with all their differences.
Ephesians 2:3 (KJV) “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
No one has to teach us how to be self-serving rather than sacrificing. No one has to teach us to want our way. No one has to teach us to want attention. It’s not easy being a child with all these things to learn that go against our sinful nature. Today say “thanks” to a teacher. Send a note to one from your past if need be. These teachers worked tirelessly redirecting these little ones and then redirecting yet again—and again. I love these teachers, with smiles on their faces and constant reminders to “be nice”. “Say thank you”, “say please”, and “share”. The Bible story was great, but seeing the Bible in action was even better.
When I left the class and re-entered grown-up territory I reminded myself to “be nice”, “say thank you”, “say please”, and “share”…Oh and make sure you let others tell their story about the alligator in their bathroom…my dinosaur story can wait for another day.
What is it about human nature in that we cannot seem to celebrate one another’s strengths and augment and supplement when need be, others weaknesses?
Romans 12:10 (KJV) “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
The charades continued through snack as the little ones observed who was eating what and how they went about it. I didn’t realize there were so many ways to eat a cheese stick and a graham cracker. Like I said you can learn a lot from watching children.
When the class time was about over the little ones were allowed free time. I was surprised how many little guys like to cook and do laundry. Not surprised the little girls went for baby dolls and strollers. When one child went to take what he wanted from another child the teacher reminded him, “We don’t take toys from other children we share.” The next time he went to take something else he wanted he said, “I’m just sharing.” I laughed to myself as these little ones were by nature justifying their actions and figuring out how to get along with one another with all their differences.
Ephesians 2:3 (KJV) “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
No one has to teach us how to be self-serving rather than sacrificing. No one has to teach us to want our way. No one has to teach us to want attention. It’s not easy being a child with all these things to learn that go against our sinful nature. Today say “thanks” to a teacher. Send a note to one from your past if need be. These teachers worked tirelessly redirecting these little ones and then redirecting yet again—and again. I love these teachers, with smiles on their faces and constant reminders to “be nice”. “Say thank you”, “say please”, and “share”. The Bible story was great, but seeing the Bible in action was even better.
When I left the class and re-entered grown-up territory I reminded myself to “be nice”, “say thank you”, “say please”, and “share”…Oh and make sure you let others tell their story about the alligator in their bathroom…my dinosaur story can wait for another day.
RSS Feed