do you think God answers our prayers in the way that is best for us? even if we don’t know what is best for us, He does.
i want to share a couple of the recent moments with the little ones lately.
“… may the laughter of children gladden our hearts. may the faith of children soothe our souls. may the love of children prompt our deeds.” — by thomas s. monson
“… children are an heritage of the Lord … ” — Ps. 127:3
the other day when i returned from work, my 5 y/o neighbor ~S came up to me to say hi. i introduced her to my little gray stuffed bear (given to me recently by a loving friend). you should have seen this moment. so adorable. she oooohed over it and held it ever so reverently, like it was a treasure (it is to me). and she said, “oooo i wish this was mine.” she held it soooo tenderly and carefully. i want to remember to look lovingly and reverently and graciously at little treasures in my life.
right before memorial day weekend before i left for a family camping trip, my neighbors 3 y/o ~A and 5 y/o ~S came up to me to say bye. they asked all sad like, “when are you coming back from your trip?” i said monday (three days later). they looked so sad. awh, it was tender. they were really going to miss me. so sweet. i could tell they were sad to see me leave on the long weekend away from them. i love that my neighbors are these sweet little kids. they make me feel so warm and welcome.
my heart is too tender lately, feeling in the dumps lately this weekend mainly. i don’t want to feel a heavy heart and i don’t want to keep fighting back the tears that are busting. but here we have it. and it is hard for me to want to visit, read, and comment on blogs when i feel like this because what kind of comment can i really leave? mostly monosyllabic comments devoid of cutesyness (i know i made up the word, but that makes it more cute). and i like leaving comments when i am eager, playful, and happy feeling. i don’t want to leave comments when i feel like crawling in a hole to hide and just be alone. so today … honestly, the only thing that got me to go to church was that i teach the kids’ class and have people counting on me. maybe we have callings/volunteer commitments for our own good, too (not just those we serve/teach).
after the Sacrament main service today, little 6 y/o ~LW from my class last year ran right up to me and attacked me with a tight hug and a smile … and she was gone just as fast. that surprised me. it always amazes me when she hugs me because she tends to be pretty shy and she holds back. so whenever she shows that tenderness to me, i am especially touched. and i was … especially touched today.
and primary sharing time and the classroom time with the little kids was tough today (mainly because 5 y/os ~CC and ~BC are such a handful). i did not feel patient today. when ~CC told me, “i want my mommy!,” i whispered to her exasperated, “i want my mommy, too!” the pianist heard me and smiled. i’m sure i could read her look. she felt sorry for me because ~CC and ~BC were being tough to handle today.
but after church when i was leaving, it floored me how ~CC and ~BC both ran up to me separately and each gave me a tight hug. i am still shocked that ~CC did that. she never has shown me that kind of affection before today. how could that be the same child who usually gives me such a time? ~BC has hugged me before, that did not surprise me, but i loved it how he asked me to swing him around, too. i hadn’t thought of that. he never asked for that before, so i gladly did and it made me smile, too. and we both became dizzy and giggly. and 4 y/o ~LB (who always is so sweet to me) squealed and asked if i would swing her around, too. sure and i gladly swung her around, too. and we smiled and giggled and we wobbled because we were dizzy, too. and in those brief moments, i felt smiley right along with these little angels in my life.
our lives aren’t really all about US .. our lives are really about how much we can impact others, touch others, and serve the others who cross our paths in life. the sphere of our influence … those who we get to impact … isn’t that what matters so much?
i’m supposed to be the one serving these little ones, but i think they served me today especially.
i guess these child moments were just what i needed.
peace, kathleen
“cutesyness” That’s, erm, cute! haha
*hugs*
It is AMAZING how children can bring us out of the dumps. It is like they have a sixth sense and can feel our need to be lifted.
So does bearing testimony. I was really touched yesterday when one of my best friends in the ward who is going through a TOUGH time found the courage to bear hers. And I know it buoyed her up so much!
WordPress hates me. I always have problems with posting comments, saying I am doing it too quickly. I just wrote a long response and it was lost. Sigh.
Bottom line: children have a way of sensing what we need and lifting us in such simple, beautiful ways!
WordPress hates me. I always have problems with posting comments, saying I am doing it too quickly. I just wrote a long response and it was lost. Sigh.
Bottom line: children have a way of sensing what we need and lifting us in such simple, beautiful ways
No wonder He said “Suffer the little children to come unto me” right? They are such precious treasures. And it’s a good thing too because it’s also what keeps them alive some days!! 😉
I’m so sorry you are feeling down. I hope that you get at least a bit of sunshine today to brighten things up. (((hugs)))
Sometimes I want my mommy too. 🙂 There have been times when I’ve been ready to throw in the towel, and then one of my kidlets does something that makes it all worth it. It’s amazing what a simple hug can do. Hope you’re feeling all better soon.
I teach the same age group at church and know exactly how you feel. My favorite is when they see me at the store in the middle of the week and get all excited or even surprised. I DO exist outside of Primary! :0)
Ahh, God used his direct link to let you know how you are loved. K., don’t ever feel like we all expect you to be happy and chirpy all of the time. That’s what blogging is for, to work through the hard times. Sometimes, your down days may just be the boost one of us needs to get over ourselves to reach out to you. HUGS from waaaay over here, across the pond.
Huggles Kathleen. I just went back to Primary (10-12 year olds) after a long stint in RS. It is so good to be back. I had missed the sweetness, the singing, and the hugs.
I’m glad you have these wonderful children to give you sweet bear hugs. Sorry you’ve been so down lately. I’m sending you some more Florida sunshine.
G’night sweetie!
How is it that He knows just what we need and when we need it? I guess that is why He is God and we’re not.
What a sweet post. You will have such a positive impact on the kids you teach because you love them. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Beany, I love when you are profound.
“our lives aren’t really all about US .. our lives are really about how much we can impact others, touch others, and serve the others who cross our paths in life. the sphere of our influence … those who we get to impact … isn’t that what matters so much? ”
and that, m’dear, is PROFOUND.
love you.
thanks for the birthday wishes!
😀
hi sue bear — you make up cute words, too.
hi amber — so true. how do they know? dogs know, too.
hi lena beana — thanks doll. and you made me giggle with that alive comment.
hi annette — he he, i still can’t believe i told that little one “i want my mommy, too.” i had a moment last night like you mention here. i picked up my 17 y/o daughter after her work shift and we went to get shakes and we had a giggly time for those moments. i was shocked that this was the same daughter who is usually so grouchy.
hi ashlee — i know what you mean. it is so fun to see them at the store or something. they just beam!
hi hostage — awh, just what i needed to hear right when you sent that. thank you.
hi jane — thanks. i feel opposite. i miss RS so much.
hi TARa — the little ones are giving me proxy hugs for you to me. thanks.
hi GR8 SHW — because we’re in His hands always, even when we doubt it. He knows every hair on our head.
hi rebecca — thanks for the reminder.
hi heather — awh, that’s sweet. thank you.
peace this night, kathleen
I like coming here and reading your thoughts. You seem to tell it like it is. Thanks for keeping it real.
hi carrie — awh, thanks, kathleen