Kindergarten Is NOT Awesome!
Another school year has officially begun. Kids have been placed in front of their homes or schools holding up signs that state their grade, favorite things, teacher’s name, and potential future occupations. Parents have hugged and kissed their little angels and performed victory dances because schools have opened their doors once again. We are ready for our new routines. We are settling into our fall schedules. Well…not all of us.
My job affords me the opportunity to work with the great minds of tomorrow. Our child development center has kids that range in age from 6 weeks to five or six years of age. And every year, I have to say goodbye to the big kids that are going off to kindergarten. Instead of walking (or running) down our halls, they are setting foot in the big schools. Occasionally, we have parents that choose to continue to bring their children for after-school therapy. And that brings me to the point of this post.
One of my small friends had his first week at big school. He arrived at therapy full of energy after a long day. Of course, I had to know how he liked his new school. Was kindergarten fun? Had he met new friends? He looked me square in the face and declared, “Kindergarten is NOT awesome.” Now listen, I was NOT expecting that response. He was his usual bubbly self. Laughs and giggles. Silliness and joy. I pushed him on the swings. We read a story. And I finally figured out why he wasn’t thrilled with his new situation. Kindergarten pushed and challenged him in ways that he was not expecting.
Now, I try my level best to prepare my friends for their transition. We spend more time doing table-top activities. We talk about changes they can expect. I remind them that they are big kids. I tell them that the little kids are looking at them to see how they should behave. I encourage them to do their best and not give up easily when they are challenged. And sometimes all of that is not enough. Because as much as you try to prepare someone for a new level, as much as you try to push them, as much as you explain what’s coming, often times actually arriving there is the only way that they can understand what is expected of them.
And I have so much in common with my little friend. 2021 has pushed and challenged me in ways that I could not have imagined. The irony is that the Lord was preparing me for this year. Tomica and I spent all of 2020 fasting for one week every month. And every month, we would say that we didn’t know what God wanted from us, but we sure wanted Him to let us know. I spent more time with my family in prayer. We studied the Bible together every Sunday in Sunday School. We discussed love, judgment, ministry, and purpose from a Biblical perspective. Bible Study Brother accepted his call into the ministry. We shared our testimonies with each other. We leaned into God in a way that we had not done collectively before. And I still was not ready for this next level. 2021 has NOT been awesome for me.
But as I sit here and type this, I realize that in many ways 2021 has been a covered year for me. 2020 was a preparation. A foundation. And when the rug was snatched from underneath my feet, I had still had a Rock to stand on. Yes, the rug was comfortable. But as long as I have Jesus to stand on, all hope is not lost. Even when I’m uncomfortable, I am standing on a firm foundation.
If your day has not turned out the way that you wanted, know that a better day is coming. If your best-laid plans got all twisted around, be assured that God turned you in a different direction for a good reason. If your year has been full of disappointments, believe in the hope that has been set before you. Even when our life’s kindergarten is NOT awesome, our God ALWAYS is. #wepreach
