Since graduating in December, I have began my first real life/I'm degree qualified/full time job as an assistant teacher in the Daffodil Room at the Children's Nature Academy. I work with 1 year olds all day and it poops me out, but also makes me laugh until I cry somedays.
As I work with these lil babes, because of the nature of my relationship with them, I can't help but see a direct parallel to my relationship with my Jesus and my spiritual journey. So here it is.. as a teacher I sure do a lot of correcting, disciplining, encouraging and instructing. But now I'll show you what I've been learning...
>> "When I call"... sometimes when I call for the children, they don't come right away, or at all. They do not come maybe out of fear to what will happen, because they're lazy, they know they're doing something they shouldn't be, but are too caught up in it, or even just out of sheer stubbornness. That is when I get up and go to them, I meet them where they're at.. sometimes I have to take them by the hand and guide them where I'm calling.
>> "The importance of rest"... they don't always appreciate it, but the resting piece of our day is crucial.
>> "When they're hurt"... I run to them and while sometimes I need to assure them verbally that they're okay, more often than not, they are calmed down simply by my presence alone as I hold them close.
>> "When they're not listening"... generally when they are not listening it is because my voice is drowned out by other surrounding noise. This is when I walk over to them, hold their hands and refocus their attention on me and repeat what I said before, now that I have their attention. Also, did I mention that I love when they finally listen on their own?? :)
>> "They make me laugh.. so much."
>> "Their best in mind"... whatever it may be about or pertaining to, I generally have their best in mind. They might not like the current what is happening or even understand in the moment, but I really am doing what I do with their best in mind.
>> "I love when they love me and just wanna be with me."
---------------------------------------------------------
Now, I'm sure that the learning has only just begun, but that's what I got so far. Here are a few, sweet shots of the little pumpkins that inspired me.
As I work with these lil babes, because of the nature of my relationship with them, I can't help but see a direct parallel to my relationship with my Jesus and my spiritual journey. So here it is.. as a teacher I sure do a lot of correcting, disciplining, encouraging and instructing. But now I'll show you what I've been learning...
>> "When I call"... sometimes when I call for the children, they don't come right away, or at all. They do not come maybe out of fear to what will happen, because they're lazy, they know they're doing something they shouldn't be, but are too caught up in it, or even just out of sheer stubbornness. That is when I get up and go to them, I meet them where they're at.. sometimes I have to take them by the hand and guide them where I'm calling.
>> "The importance of rest"... they don't always appreciate it, but the resting piece of our day is crucial.
>> "When they're hurt"... I run to them and while sometimes I need to assure them verbally that they're okay, more often than not, they are calmed down simply by my presence alone as I hold them close.
>> "When they're not listening"... generally when they are not listening it is because my voice is drowned out by other surrounding noise. This is when I walk over to them, hold their hands and refocus their attention on me and repeat what I said before, now that I have their attention. Also, did I mention that I love when they finally listen on their own?? :)
>> "They make me laugh.. so much."
>> "Their best in mind"... whatever it may be about or pertaining to, I generally have their best in mind. They might not like the current what is happening or even understand in the moment, but I really am doing what I do with their best in mind.
>> "I love when they love me and just wanna be with me."
---------------------------------------------------------
Now, I'm sure that the learning has only just begun, but that's what I got so far. Here are a few, sweet shots of the little pumpkins that inspired me.
CHEERS!
