Today more than any other time, we want choices. We want to choose how we live, where we live, how we worship, what doctrines we value, and how we will rear our children. As a public school administrator and a Christian, I enjoy the diversity our community’s families offer our little school. We have children from backgrounds of extreme wealth to extreme poverty, from intensely protective to sadly neglectful families, from faithful Christian homes to some that are empty and lost, and these life learning experiences offer our children preparation for life and support for success. We really cannot minister or learn to care for the poor unless poverty is
Of the many things for which I am thankful, those families who bring Christian light into our schools are greatest. It comes before books, materials, our facility, or even the gifted teachers and staff and incredibly supportive community. This realization came to me over 10 years ago as I taught second grade and witnessed the gift of Christian light in the simple interaction of my students during an ordinary Valentine’s Day lesson.
Typically, seven year old boys are the rambunctious members of a group, but this year it was a little girl. Her beauty was clouded by a temper that I had never witnessed in one her age; as a result, she often chose to play alone. During February, I included the philosophy of “Random Acts of Kindness” and shared how special it is to be kind without expecting kindness in return. Later that day, a student confided, “I think she (meaning her hot-tempered classmate) is really sad because she doesn’t have a Beanie Baby.” I am so glad I didn’t throw cold water on that idea because it was the seed of a miracle. By the end of the day, this 7-year old had organized all the students to bring a Beanie Baby gift to this troubled little girl on Valentine’s Day. Secretly I worried that she would be embarrassed or worse throw a fit and fling the Beanies across the room. Thank the Lord, my fears were unfounded. The genuineness of her classmates’ love overflowed as she opened Beanie after Beanie. I watched a tear trickle down her cheek, and when she looked up at her classmates, I have never seen such a beautiful smile. Her beauty emanated around the room. For that moment, the satisfaction of giving and the joy of being appreciated was like a balm. Her classmates swelled with pride that they had really, really done a great thing. Their generosity had created a memorable moment in time that I will never forget.
Later as I helped her pack her bounty, she shared that she had always wanted a Beanie and now she had a whole backpack full. I had to call our little organizer’s mother and share how proud I was of her. Secretly I wondered how long it would be until the temper returned. The miracle: it never did, even in third, fourth, or fifth grades. Christian love was never more simply, purely, or effectively applied than in that little second grade classroom so many years ago.
I could not have given that gift. It could only come from the selfless, Christian love of a peer. Praise God for Christian parents who choose to teach their children how to live IN the world. Praise the Lord for Christian educators, who embrace those moments where Light has an opportunity to radiate and empower student leaders and who responsibly protect the innocence of their students. We have moments like these that remind us we are one, interdependent body. I hope I never miss those “Beanie” opportunities to make someone’s day, to offer a word or gift that would change a heart and make a difference. Most of all, I pray that we would turn our hearts to our children, not only our own, but every child teaching them that they all are precious and worthwhile in the eyes of God.
By Kim Fisher