Going On For The Children

For a dear friend and her children, time stood still.
Over the weekend, at the end of the blizzard that kept most of us snowbound, it happened.
My friend lost her husband, suddenly and unexpectedly.
There is grief, there is sadness, there is shock.

My friend is the director of a wonderful Christian preschool.
Her love for the children is genuine.
Her love for her teachers is obvious.
The love that they have for her is reciprocated a hundred fold.

I know that in my head.
My youngest daughter attended that preschool.
I know it in my heart, since I know my friend and the depth of her love.
Some people work at a job while other people are called to a particular job.

My friend is called.

There was a prayer time at the school before the children arrived on a two-hour delay.
The teachers wanted to gather for prayer.
Being together and calling out to the Lord was the only thing to do.
The fellowship was necessary as everyone processed this great loss.

I was called to come in and watch the teacher’s children so they could all gather to pray.
I waited in the room as the children came.
I looked into the red, swollen eyes of each of the mothers.
I needed to put my own sadness in its place and be there for the children.

I brought a special book to read.
I brought Scattergories Categories cards to enjoy as we played our own version of the game.
I had a Bible trivia book and found that their knowledge put me to shame.
Since school was delayed, I had children from kindergarten to sixth grade there with me.

I prayed all the way over to the school that I would be a blessing to the children and their moms.
The prayer was reversed.
The children blessed me.
Oh, how the children blessed me.

I looked at each of the children and knew that they knew why we were there.
They knew that Mr. R had died; they knew him and they loved him.
They knew that this kind of thing is not supposed to happen, but it does, all too often.
There was only one thing we could do before we did anything else.

We prayed.

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-4)

I was among true greatness as I stood in that room.
I was utterly amazed by prayers of these children for Mrs. R, who they love so much.
I listened to childlike faith; I was humbled by the profound simplicity of the truth I heard.
I was touched by their tenderness and compassion.

Father, we pray for Mrs. R today because she is very sad. She lost the one she loves. She lost the one who is her husband. We pray for her children who lost their Dad. We know that they are very sad, too. Father we are sad, but we know that Mr. R is with You right now. We know that Mr. R is looking at the face of Jesus right now. That is really good for him but really hard for us. Help Mrs. R not be too sad so that she can come back here to us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

My heart agreed in prayer with every word these precious children uttered.
My heart was full because they know without a doubt that we grieve but not without hope.
My heart rejoiced because they know that Mr. R is with Jesus, the Lord he served so well.
My heart is so grateful for the salvation that is possible only in Christ Jesus.

I needed to focus on the rest of the time with the children.
My mind kept returning to their heart cry for a woman they love.
When the prayer time across the hall was finished, the children went on to school.
The children said, goodbye and thank you; it was I that should have thanked them.

Then I saw the teachers.
There were tears and sadness but there was peace and confidence.
They lifted up the woman that God uses to make this preschool His place.
I heard snippets of conversation as they described the woman they love so much.

She is beloved.
There is a sisterhood here that cannot be duplicated.
This is not a job, it is a family.
We have to go on for the children.

The love in this precious preschool is palpable.
It is a special place.
It is a place where Christ is exalted.
It is a place where each child is loved because they are made in the image of God.

You cannot fake this kind of atmosphere.
You cannot pretend to get along with each other.
This woman they love so much is so unassuming.
She does not realize the gift she is to the parents and children in this community.

Go to any business school and choose someone to be a director of a preschool.
In theory, that would work just fine.
In reality, it would fail miserably.
This Director answers to the Lord Jesus and is guided and directed by Him.

The Lord works through this woman and all the teachers; He comes first.
He is the reason they do what they do.
They do not consider this a job.
They consider this a ministry.

Each child is a gift from God.
Each child is known by name.
Each child is treasured for their uniqueness.
Each child is valued as they are taught about the One who made them and loves them.

I watched as each teacher composed herself.
I watched as each teacher dried her eyes.
I watched as each teacher hugged those around her.
I listened as each teacher said the same thing: Let’s go see the children.

It’s all about the children.
That is God’s way.
That is the preschool’s way.
That is my friend’s way, as she leads.

She is a servant leader.
She is a hurting servant leader.
She is a servant leader who knows the great and mighty God she serves.
She is weak but in Him she is strong.

I stayed for a while to support another friend who is the head of the preschool board.
I stood there in the hallway and smiled at the mothers and the children as they came in.
I stood where she could see me.
We glanced at each other; there was no need for words.

It is because of God that they are there.
It is because of the children that they press on.
It is because of a woman they all deeply love that they continue what God is doing through her.
It is because this is a calling to them as well.

Hearts are hurting but not without hope.
Love is palpable because Jesus is Lord.
Mrs. R will be missed until she returns to her post.
Until then, the sweet sisterhood will press on; they have been trained well.

With heavy hearts, they smiled.
With red eyes, they greeted every child.
We have to go on for the children.
And they will go on, excellently, and they will do it all in His name.

2 responses to “Going On For The Children”

1. Beaifully written. So incredibly difficult to put down in words the spirit in WCP and the importance of Darlene at the helm. May the massive love, respect, and devotion that we have for this wildly genuine, gifted, loving, brilliant, humble servant continue to strengthen her and hers and lift them up as she has us. Everyday. Always. And with grace. Thank you Gina for this.

   Reply

   • Jennifer,
     This is my “little bit”…my gift to my dear friend.
     I hope this will let her see just a glimpse of how much she is loved.
     We grieve but praise God, we grieve with HOPE.
     Gina

     Reply