Children – Sunshine Lane

Teach Your Children

Teach your children well. If necessary, use words. Mostly though, get them involved with other children of all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic groups, political groups, and differently abled groups. It will teach them love, acceptance, and respect for others that they won’t find on their own.

I was never exposed to people of color until I was in the third grade in 1970. My teacher, Miss Bazy, was the first black person I ever met and I was terrified simply because she was different. At the end of the first week of school, she asked me to stay after class. I was a shy, quiet kid who never got in trouble so I was scared. Everyone left and she asked me to come up to her at her desk. All 35 pounds of me was shaking with nerves. She didn’t say a word, but took my hand in hers and held it for a minute or two, smiling gently all the while. Then she turned my hand over, palm side up, and asked me, “Did your hand turn black because you held my black hand?” Of course I shook my head no. She then said, “Honey, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m just like you except God colored me differently than you.” Then she gave me the sweetest hug I EVER got from a teacher before or since. I burst into tears because I was so ashamed for being afraid. She just held me and patted my back as I told her I was so sorry. I believe the most important thing I learned that year took place in a 10 minute lesson. She was a great teacher, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve especially never forgotten that moment.

Ever since that day I’ve understood we are all the same in many ways. We are all human, have basic needs, wishes, emotions, attachments, and gifts. We all deserve respect and dignity, compassion and empathy. We all need to teach our children well. That is how we will change the world now and in the future.

The Little Poet|NaPoWriMo Day 22

“See the poem I wrote today?”
She grinned at me and said.
I looked at her in wonder,
and slowly shook my head.

How could she be so naive
and even worse so glad?
She was just too young to see,
how the world was oh so bad.

Then she handed me her little poem,
written in childish scrawl,
and tears fell down my face,
as all at once I saw,
the reason for her joy
and understood her grace,
no wonder she had such a
sweet, sweet smile,
upon her little face.

The poem was very simple,
just four lines, you see,
but every line was beautiful,
to old and grouchy me:

“God loves you,
God loves me,
I love you,
do you love me?”

This little poem was actually inspired by a little girl I had in a third grade bible class I taught. She was a very sweet little girl from a poor family on the “wrong side of town.” The world she lived in was poor, rough and scary, but she had more love in her little pinkie than most people have in their whole lives! I still remember her…

Elaine

Little Ones at Christmas

We had two of the cutest little kiddos with their grandmama bring by a Christmas goodie plate and card. They were absolutely adorable! The older child was about 4 and a beautiful little girl. The younger tyke was about about 2 and a boy. They were both wearing Santa Claus hats. The little boy was totally enchanted with our nativity scene, so much so that he tripped and nearly fell over himself, but then…save! He was fine! He didn’t even skin his knee!

Little ones are such a joy at Christmas. If God’s little one had not been born, we wouldn’t have Christmas to celebrate. We were all little ones once upon a time. We were innocent, pure, and sweet. We didn’t even know what we didn’t know.

I think God sees us as His precious little ones. We, too, no matter our age, don’t even know what we don’t know. His wisdom, strength, and love are so much greater than ours. Don’t you imagine when He sees us stumble, His breath catches in His throat and then….save! We are fine. He was with us all along. We might skin our knees, our pride, our relationships, and even our spirits sometimes, but if we reach out our little hands to Him, He will catch us….save! We are fine!