when can I go forward?

This week in Kindergarten I have been teaching my class about signs and how we can read them. A lot of signs around them have no words but we are still able to "read" them and know how to obey them.

I showed them an exit sign and even if they could or could not "read" it they knew what it's purpose was. I showed them a blue sign with a lady on it and a blue sign with a man on it and they all knew it was a sign for the washrooms and which one was for which...(with of course giggles, ALWAYS giggles when it comes to the washroom...what is WITH that?)

We went on to the traffic light and how we knew that when the light was red we know to stop, when it turns green we know it is time to go. The next sign I showed them was a STOP sign. I told them again that even if they could or couldn't "read" the word most of them should know what the sign means. They all said it meant stop and that they see that sign all the time. As I went to move on to the next sign, one of the students had a very puzzled look on his face. I started to explain the next sign being a construction sign etc, but then couldn't get past this confused look on this child's face.

I stopped and asked, "You look like you don't understand something? Do you have a question?" He proceeded to say "yeah, when do you know when to go?" I was a bit confused and asked "what do you mean?" He said, "That sign...(pointing at the STOP sign) when does it change? How do you know when to GO?" I then explained how great a question that was and that a STOP sign doesn't change. We obey the sign, look both ways, and when it is safe to go, we make the decision to go. The sign stays the same.

Seriously, deep question! When I think of my own life and when I have STOPped doing something that is in line with my purpose, sometimes in fear of not knowing where I am going. Am I waiting for the sign to turn to give me permission to move forward? Or am I able to look in all directions and know that it is safe to move, knowing God is my protector and provider. I believe there is value in taking a time to STOP at an intersection and wait a moment for things to pass before moving forward (Be still and know that I am God Ps. 46:10). I want to choose to then go and not wait forever expecting a light to flash or a sign to change. I can make that decision with God's guidance, in confidence knowing He is my safety and protection as I follow His "signs" for my life.

Bible stories in the eyes of a 5 year old...

In Kindergarten, both the students and I LOVE Bible time. I show big colourful illustrated cards and tell them the story. They sit back and listen and you could literally hear a pin drop each time I read it as they are so intent on listening to every detail. They look forward to this time every week...and so do I :)

...but of course, with everything that happens in my classroom, I never leave without a good laugh. One of these times was back in November or so when we were going through some of the Old Testament stories. This one in particular was about Jacob and when he wrestled with God. The Kindergarteners took in every word as they always do. They really were amazed by the story. When I asked about the story the following week to see if they could recall what it was about, one student put up his hand and said

"God jumped out of a bush and tackled Jacob".

I guess that's one way to tell the story!

Today left me laughing as well as I was telling the children the story of Jesus calling the disciples. The story was when Jesus told Peter to put the nets in the water and Peter did and they caught loads of fish. With each story the students go back to the tables and do the corresponding page to reinforce the lesson. Today the page had a picture of Jesus on the boat and the directions were to draw a bunch of fish in the net. As I walked around the room to see everyone's drawings and give more direction, one child showed me his picture.

This is how the conversation went:

me: Wow, (child's name), what an amazing net of fish you drew!

child: Thanks, I drew sharks!

me: oh my, don't let the shark eat Jesus.

child: oh, they won't, Jesus will "force" them.

Obviously this child watches a lot of Star Wars and believes Jesus is a Jedi! LOL

I love my job, I love my students. So glad my days are full of laughter. I pray yours are too.