Clarksville, TN - Grace Community Church

I walked into Grace Acres Sunday morning a little frazzled.  OK . . . I’m usually a little frazzled and running behind, but this day I was feeling it.  I got my kids where they needed to be and walked over to the new pre-k class to face the little ones head on.  Sure enough, there were a couple of kids already there, ready and waiting for me.  It can be an overwhelming experience at times when I think about the fact that our jobs as teachers in Grace Acres is to introduce preschoolers to Jesus.  Anyone who has preschoolers or has ever worked with them knows that there are days when you feel like you say the same thing over and over and no one ever hears you.  So, we try to make things fun and engaging, hoping something will stick in their minds . . . keeping in mind that for some of these kids it may be the first time or the only time during their week that they ever hear about God or Jesus.  Sometimes I feel as though none of them will remember what we talked about the minute that they walk out the door.  And then, I am reminded through the smallest things how important our jobs are in the lives of those little children.  It can be something as simple as a child, who was normally insecure about coming into class at first, walking right in and giving me a big hug.  Or, hearing a parent ask their child what they learned about today and they actually know (despite the fact that they didn’t appear to be paying attention at all).  Or, watching them sing and dance and worship in their large group with all of their friends.  Seeing these little things keeps me coming back week after week and going through the chaos all over again.  Knowing that we can provide a fun environment for kids to grow and learn about Jesus and how much He loves them makes all the chaos worthwhile.  I might even learn a little bit about myself from them along the way, too!  So, I’ll keep waking up early on Sunday mornings and getting my family out of bed and dressed and ready for church.  And, I’ll keep working with those crazy preschoolers for as long as they will have me.