I have been working with children since I was a late teenager. I've worked with infants all the way up until just before the age of twenty years old. It's amazing to think about. For years, I worked on and off in various offices, however, I do not think that those office jobs made as much of a difference in my life as working with children, especially the very little ones. Realizing this, a little bit over 2 years ago, I decided to go back to working with children, feeling that was where God, wanted me to be in my life.
The other morning, I went in to work feeling kind of down. I knew that somehow the kids would cheer me up and help me to forget about needless stressful thoughts and feelings.
One of the babies in my Infant room, *Kyle, is turning a year and a half; 18 months; in a matter of weeks, and then transferring to my old classroom; the Toddlers. I know that me and the lead Teacher in our room, *Lara, will surely miss *Kyle when he transitions down the hallway to his new classroom.
For a little over a week, *Kyle has been eating his lunch in the Toddler room, so that he gets used to being in his new class environment with both some new and old friends. He has been doing a great job at lunch time there, except when Mommy sends him something with Rice, which he does not seem to like too much; at least for now.
On this particular morning, one of our Boss's Daughters, *Nora, who works with us about 4 days a week, came to get *Kyle, early for lunch, to let him get used to playing, in his soon to be, new classroom with the new Teachers and children. When *Nora took *Kyle, I decided to assist the 3 year old Teacher, *Mrs. Dee, with her Circle Time, Art Activities and Lunch Preparations. What a fun time we had.
What really made my heart smile that morrning, was right after I made a joke about, *'Kyle not needing me anymore, now that he will soon be moving to a new class.' When I turned around to go back towards the Art/ Lunch Table, 3 of my previous students, whom I had originally when I was in the Toddler room, suddenly said to me, 'We need you, Miss Lisa!', one after the other, with smiles on their little, excited faces. It was just what I needed to hear, especially that day, feeling tired and down due to so much anxiety and stress that I have been feeling a lot of lately.
I literally turned around, looked at them and froze, when I heard them say those words, as they looked in to my eyes so lovingly. I could tell that they meant it all, straight from their hearts. God knew that, I wanted to know that I was making a difference in people's lives, especially in the new lives of little children. I want them to know how special and loved they are and always will be. I want them to feel the love of God, Who made them so, 'wonderfully.' So, hearing even those few words from these little growing 3 year old babies, meant so much to me. It was as if God was reminding me that I am needed, wanted and loved. I felt like He was confirming that I was and am making a difference in the lives of people, animals, and especially those children, who had just made my day happier, with the touch of God in their hearts.
There is something extra special about children who are treated with and taught love, because they know how to share it with others, either with kind words or the mere sharing of a tiny little $2.00 toy. If they see a friend, Teacher or an Assistant, either sad or crying, they come and share a happy hug or sweet words.
I feel in my heart and soul that, there are many things, as well as people and animals, that God often uses to speak to us; a movie, TV show, a book, a song; even little children. They may or may not understand the full meaning of every word they are saying, but their hearts know, for they feel the emotion of the love within them as they beat.
So, if I may suggest, pay close attention... for the Lord, always has something to say to us, in the most beautiful of ways.