May
22
2015
A Pat On The Back
Posted in Evangelism 4 Comments
It was the night of the preschool closing program.
Little boys and girls who will now be moving on to kindergarten.
Little boys and girls who will grow to be men and women, mothers and fathers.
I was watching the future unfold before me.
There they were in their bright colors.
Little girls in dresses and little boys in nice pants and a button down shirt.
They all had Hawaiian Leis around their necks.
There was a palm tree behind them and an assortment of tropical decorations.
It was a celebration.
They came to preschool as little ones; they are leaving older and wiser.
Wiser because along with the normal preschool curriculum, they learned about Jesus.
In fact, Jesus is the foundation for everything they do and everything they learn.
The songs that were sung were joyful with lots of motion.
I watched the beloved preschool teacher in the back of the church sanctuary.
She sang along, jumping with such exuberance, the children could not help but respond.
Volume was not an issue since these little ones sang their hearts out.
I kept thinking about that as I sat there watching them.
They are singing their hearts out, for the Lord.
They are singing Truth for all to hear.
They were loud about it, they were bold, and they were utterly precious.
Between the songs, the children answered important questions.
They answered catechism questions concerning doctrines of the faith.
They were taught well.
I prayed that the words they were saying have already taken root in their hearts.
We, in the audience, heard the voice of the exuberant teacher ask the questions.
Who made you?
God.
What else did God make?
God made all things.
Why did God make you and all things?
For His own glory.
Are there more gods than one?
There is only one true God.
How many persons is this one true God?
Three.
Name these three persons.
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Doctrine was spoken in between the songs.
Truth was being planted in their precious hearts.
Truth was boldly proclaimed to an audience of people, some who may never have heard.
Important questions were asked and answered.
I was blessed.
I was moved.
I prayed.
How I prayed.
I watched a little girl in the front row.
She was dressed in pink and was wearing pink cowboy boots.
She smiled as she sang.
She loved to sing.
I saw a little boy next to her.
He was dressed in his nice pants and button down shirt.
He kept looking over at his mom for affirmation.
He received that and more every time he looked at her.
But he also received affirmation another way.
During one of the songs, after many hand motions and movements, he looked tired.
I saw his visible sigh.
This was hard work.
As if on cue, the little girl in pink turned to him and gave him a pat on the back.
Just that.
Nothing more.
But that was everything.
Truth was planted in their little hearts.
More importantly, truth was being lived out.
Lived out simply and honestly on a stage with Hawaiian Leis around their necks.
Truth that had hands and feet.
The little boy smiled back and put his hands in his pockets.
He got it.
One-anothering happened on that stage under the palm tree.
Encouragement to press on with a non-verbal, you can do this.
The children were taught well.
Truth was expounded and modeled.
They caught the Truth like a wonderful disease to which there is hopefully no cure.
Once infected with this Truth, it spreads, it is contagious, it can be an epidemic.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11)
My throat got tight as I watched the preschool director at the microphone.
She tried desperately to talk to the parents but the words kept getting stuck in her throat.
She loves these children well.
She loves their parents well.
She knows that this preschool is very special to many families.
For some families, this preschool is the first place they hear about Jesus.
The director and all the teachers take their calling very seriously.
They are the on the front line for Christ.
The director talked through her tears.
She must have thought about the many children that have come through the doors.
My youngest daughter was blessed to go to this preschool as well.
The director knows that they simply plant the seed; the Holy Spirit will water and grow it.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. (Isaiah 61:3)
I thought of this verse as I sat and watched the children.
Mighty oaks are what they will one day be.
A planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.
The seed was planted and God will make it grow.
I witnessed a simple pat on the back.
In that small gesture, I saw faith in action.
I saw love demonstrated.
I saw encouragement practiced.
The future is in good hands.
Oaks that are mere saplings will grow to be mighty and strong.
Saplings that need the Living Water and the Light of the Son to make them grow.
What was begun here must now continue in their homes and in the church.
Is there someone who needs a pat on the back today?
Is there someone that needs to be reminded that God made them for His glory?
Is there someone who visibly sighs and needs encouragement to press on?
Could God be using you to be His hands to that person?
Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as you ever can. (John Wesley)
Are you ready?
oh, Gina
What a lesson and reminder to all of us.
you
Bettie,
I was touched and convicted by this simple, loving gesture.
May we all be that ready to encourage another who might need that pat on the back.
Gina
The tears began before I even got through the first paragraph. Thank you for stating so beautifully what God has called us all to do.
Darlene,
The important work that you and all the teachers do is invaluable! Only in heaven will we ever know the scope of the seed planting that began there in those early years. The children and parents are blessed by a director and teachers that passionately love the Lord and love the children so very well. You are all loved and appreciated.
Gina