Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Sunday School (10/25/07)
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TITLE: AND SHE RAN TO HIM | Previous Challenge Entry
By Teresa Hollums
10/26/07 -
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“Hello, Mary Sue, how are you today?” I said, greeting the small three-year-old, who shyly peeked over her slightly turned head, but Mary Sue still clung to her mother tightly.
“Please, Mary Sue, I just have to go to my Sunday school class—please go to the nice lady. I’ll be back after Sunday school and we might go home before church if you still don’t want to stay. I know Martha,” the mom said indicating me still standing with outstretched arms to the reluctant child. “She is going to teach you some wonderful things about Jesus.”
“Don’t you want to know about Jesus, Mary Sue? He was the greatest person in God ever on the earth and he loves you very much,” I encouraged. Finally, the child mumbled from under long, blond eyelashes, “But I never see him.”
I and the mom stared at each other, thinking ‘how in the world are we to try to convey this to a little girl who only sees what she believes?’ Finally, I tried again pointing at the many pictures and play toys in the room—one of which was a “Jesus” doll. “But, see, Mary Lou, look at all I’ve prepared just for you”
And in my mind’s eye I rehearsed again all the hour-long preparation and all the many hours of continuingly preparing for so many lessons for my precious three-year-old Sunday school class. I loved these children and I knew I had many things they could learn well. It has been always ingrained in me that Sunday mornings were for Jesus and the church and learning about him. Surely there could be no doubt of how vital it is to our society and to these precious children to learn about the real meaning of life. In my heart, however, I knew and still know that only disciplined learning and being God’s own hands and feet ourselves was the only way this little girl could ever comprehend how deep and wide is God’s love for her. I know I prepare and work and that, when they finally come to know me, they would learn more.
----But each time a reluctant new small member entered by doors, I faced this same dilemma—I need a real reason for this child who is more introverted and shy to want to come. And then I always remember—the best draw I have into the classroom.
My sweet dear husband, who never prepares, never makes a physical effort of trying different learning methods on different learns, who never had an education class in his life, but who always knows just when his real skills are needed-- just looks up from the little one on his knee in the tiny chairs that are way too small for him, and comes and simply says, “Mary Sue, I would love to have you here with us.”
And he gives that famous, beautiful and open grin that always has melted me and everyone else I know. He opens his arms as he bends to Mary Sue’s level, “Won’t you come to me?”
The child gives her mom one last look, and returns the open, loving smile of my husband. Then she literally runs to him and never looks back at her mom.
‘Wow,’ I thought, ‘I suppose children intuitively understand from whom they can learn best—someone whose actions portray Jesus best.’ --and, I too, walked over to my husband, and squeezed his hand for a very heartfelt, ‘thank you.’
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