kindergarten

Slipper Slides and Training Wheels

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Kutter No Training Wheels 19 (Altered, Crop)Some of my early childhood memories made their home in my mind while I lived on Residence Street.  It was a small house across the street from Jefferson Elementary School.

I remember my kindergarten class that had a large slipper slide inside the classroom and the day an interesting visitor walked into class.  It was Peaches, my Boston Terrier who had come looking for me.

Even when I was in kindergarten, I would think of a hundred different places I would rather be than in class.  One day I poured my milk in my lap, just so I could walk home (across the street) and get a change of clothes.

I guess my favorite memory was Dad teaching me to ride my bike. He would run along behind me and hold on to the back of the bike as I pedaled.  I would take a quick peak to see if Dad was still behind me—it was always comforting to see him and know he was there.

We can know the same thing about our Heavenly Father.  He’s promised to never leave us, and we can also know:

  • God stands guard over us: “God can guard you so that you don’t fall and so that you can be full of joy as you stand in his glorious presence without fault (Jude 24).”
  • God’s strength is available to us: “The Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you against the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3).”
  • God encourages us: “God our Father loved us and by his kindness gave us everlasting encouragement and good hope. Together with our Lord Jesus Christ, may he encourage and strengthen you to do and say everything that is good (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).”
  • God has an inheritance for us: “We have been born into a new life which has an inheritance that can’t be destroyed or corrupted and can’t fade away. That inheritance is kept in heaven for you, since you are guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of time (I Peter 1:4-5).”

Dad had a great smile, and I only need to close my eyes to see it again and to hear his clear voice shout words of encouragement:  “You can do it son—keep pedaling!”

You can do it too.  You may need a little help, but the God who is your guard; your source of strength; and, your source of encouragement is ready to give you a little push as you pedal your way through life.

A Kindergarten Failure

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siestaNow that I’m 61, I’m starting to learn the value of some practices that I shunned when I was six. At the top of this list is nap time. I’m beginning to learn the restorative power of a little siesta.

When I was in kindergarten, my classmates and I would roll our little rugs out on the floor and at a specified time each day for a little nap. My kindergarten teacher would tell you that I flunked nap time. I wish she could see me now—she’d give me an A+.

Sometimes I think of that little rug when I lay down on the floor for a little catnap. Just a few minutes of shut-eye is rejuvenating, and what the nap does for you physically, God will do for you spiritually.

In Psalm 23, David says the Good Shepherd will restore your soul. The storehouse of God is plentiful, and when you:
• Run low on gas He will refuel you (Isaiah 40:30-31).
• Feel abandoned, He will receive you (John 1:12).
• Think your fire is about to go out, He will revive you (Psalm 85:6-7).
• Are sad and want to quit, you can rejoice in Him (Philippians 4:4).
• Are confused, you can reflect on His Word (Joshua 1:8).
• Feel weak and think you lack strength, He will replenish you (Philippians 4:13)

In Ephesians (1:19), Paul speaks of the immeasurable greatness of God’s power and the vastness of His strength. Think of how this applies to your relationship with Him in the context of the following words: rekindle, revitalize, refocus, rebuild, recover, rediscover, relax, and reshape.

When you think of each of the words above, you can confidently rely on God to recharge you.