“... even though lately I have not been in touch with what it means to be a true disciple and I have been very distracted, I thank you (God) for the privilege of being a disciple. I pray you will restore my focus and help me to not forget those principles that got me close to you” Written in 2001. Five years old as a disciple. 

As a former preschool teacher, I saw first hand that four and five year olds are independent and need less hands on. They can feed, dress, clean up, make specific requests and more for themselves. In spite of this, they still need lots of reminders. One of the things they need help in, is transitioning on their own from one thing to another.. 

For example, I will say, “Clean up time is in five minuntes.” In my years of teaching, I only had one child keep an eye on the clock and play at the same time and once the time was up, approached me saying, “Ms. Olivia, five. It’s five minutes” for all the other children. In spite of the warning, they were always surprised when I said time was up., But in spite of that, 99% of the children got up and cleaned.  Some did so happily, some with a frown, some needed a little “push” and eventually got there! 

Like the preschoolers I taught, there are so many things I need reminders for in my walk with God, including: I am a disciple of Jesus regardless of what’s going on in my life. God has plans for me. Confession brings healing. Quality time with God produces spiritual growth. Quick check-ins with God help me to not drown when there is a lot going on but it won’t sustain me spiritually for the long run, I need to prepare. Being part of God’s church is the best thing ever. Being part of someone becoming a disciple moves my heart. Pray, pray, pray. 

Although I am grateful for the reminders God gives me to prepare me for the next step, like my preschoolers, I too can be surprised when it is time to transition regardless of several warnings. It is okay when I do, as long as I get up and do it. It is never pleasant when I fight or argue when the time comes to move forward. The fact is no matter how much I fight or argue, when God says is time to transition or move forward is time to do it. 

It never failed, there was always one kid who just didn’t want to move forward. We could not force the child, all we could do was try to find ways to entice him or her to move forward with us. In doing that we experienced some victories with those who were having a tough time, but once in a while there were some who just didn’t move forward no matter what we did. They chose to stay and either cry or throw a tantrum until they were exhausted. By the time they were ready to join, it was time to move to the next thing. Their faces will be sad but they will choose to forget what they lost and enjoy what was next. Reminds me of Phillipians 3:12-14

“I do not say that I have received this or have already become perfect. But I keep going on to make that life my own as Christ Jesus made me His own. No, Christian brothers, I do not have that life yet. But I do one thing. I forget everything that is behind me and look forward to that which is ahead of me. My eyes are on the crown. I want to win the race and get the crown of God’s call from heaven through Christ Jesus.” NIV

As I mentioned earlier, once in a while, one preschooler was not going to move forward no matter what I did. One day a cute little 3 year old decided this was his day to do things his way. 

As usual we gave the children a five minutes warning before cleaning up, then a two minutes warning and then started singing, “it’s time to clean up”. All the children began to clean but my little friend said very assertively: “I am not done playing.” I gently replied, I hear you, you can play some more after our next activity, right now it’s time to clean up for a snack now. '' He then said, hands crossed, frowning face, “I will not help”. I calmly said, that’s okay but to have a snack you have to help. He said “I won’t.” 

I decided to keep moving forward and purposely left one toy on the carpet for him to pick up. The other children cleaned. We then sat on the carpet as usual, did a recap of our day, and then I proceeded to call them individually by name as I directed them to wash their hands. I didn’t call my little friend who quickly noticed and said, “you didn’t say my name”. I gently said, I did not, you need to clean up first. He crossed his hand and turned his back to me. So we moved on. Eventually he turned around and watched everyone have snacks. My assistant asked me, are we going to let him come and have a snack? I replied, nope no one ever died from not eating goldfish. After having snacks, when the weather is good we go outside. Since he loves to play outside, he started crying. I looked at him and said, “you can come, you just need to clean up.” He quickly picked up the toy I had left out and was able to go outside and have a blast.  

The next day, my little friend was the first one to transition when I said it was time to clean up. He did it with such joy! 

My little friend's story is an example that, just like him, sometimes I need to remember that when God says, time is up, time is up. I can join the easy way or the hard way. Either God is moving forward.

With that said, I will wrap this keepsake with the Serenity Prayer. I learned it in my 12 step group for codependents. Because either to prepare my heart for the transition or to get up and actually move forward, for me it takes trusting and obeying my “Teacher”.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change. The courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace. Taking as Jesus did this sinful world as it is, not as I will have it. Trusting that you will make all things right if I surrender to your will. That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy forever in the next. Amen.” The Serenity Prayer.

Thank you reading!