Summer of 2015: Class of Goodness

As if summer school was not enough, I found myself spending the rest of my summer lesson planning and grading papers as a teacher at my church's summer camp. After spending an intense six weeks with very intellectual and profound minds, I found myself face-to-face with third graders. While I had the luxury of learning from some great scholars and professors, I was now the one to instill some knowledge into the these seven/eight-year-olds. Needless to say, it was an experience like no other. I was prepared to be strict and lay down the law; I was ready with creative ways to discipline and rebuke; I was ready to be THAT teacher that they will never forget. I will argue that I did teach these children something but to be honest, I think they were the ones who taught me. I did not expect to see them grow in the span of the month that I was there; I did not expect to have a personal relationship with each one of the children; I did not expect to fall completely in love with my class and see God working so clearly in the lives of the children.  These kids were so transparent and so eager to learn. They are not at that age yet where they had a full-fleshed attitude but they definitely had some of the craziest personalities. They were the first to get upset but also the first to forgive. They sympathized with each other and encouraged each other. They loved each other like their own brothers and sisters. They have a curiosity and an eagerness like no other. They are filled with questions and anticipation to learn. They were also some of the most honest kids I've met. They admit their wrong almost instantly and accept punishment with understanding and reflection. It was amazing to see how pure and how simple their hearts were. This idea of having child-like faith is something we all say but not something we see often. It is such a beautiful and humbling thing to see these kids so full of energy and joy. They literally are mini-adults... with slightly large heads but so full of life. God has opened my heart to these children and showed me His heart for His children. As a father would teach his children, I had the opportunity to teach these children this summer, but more so, I had the opportunity to love these children the same way that God loves His. It was such a joy to see God working in every little detail of every single day and in every single one of the children. Every child was a blessing and it was truly a learning experience that I will never forget.