A Peek Into My Heart: Spiritual Lessons I've Learned from Kindergarten

Being around kids all day has given me a better perspective on God's view of our lives and how we all, in a sense, are just a bunch of kids in this huge plan of God's. I have a few thoughts about it. Here they are...

1. One goal in Kindergarten is that the children would be able to write and identify their first and last names. It is also God's desire that we grow in our identity as His child. That our true identity, or "name" is not in how others perceive us, what they think of us, or how we look to others. It's in how He views us. He wants us to learn our names.

2. Recess is a must in Kindergarten. Although teachers can (and should) make learning fun for 5 and 6 year olds, recess is a necessity. God gives us recess too. It's also a necessity. Although He desires all of our hearts and devotion, He isn't as serious as some may think. He likes us to have fun and wants us to take a break from the "serious" and often burdensome religiuos yoke that we often put on ourselves that isn't from Him. He wants to play with us on the playground.

3. As a Kindergarten teacher, I always have to be planning ahead and know what I'm going to teach them next. God always knows the areas He wants us to grow in next. He plans our seasons, days, and times accordingly and knows the exact circumstances to allow in our lives that will produce growth and maturity. He is great at lesson plans.

4. Kids don't always get along. God will use relational problems with others to show us about ourselves. Often He will purposely put a certain kind of person in our lives that rubs us the wrong way. He knows the exact situation that will cause our hearts to grow up. Learning forgiveness and resisting the temptation to be bitter and resentful is one of the basic lessons that we must learn.

5. A teacher must know about the age group they are teaching to have successful students. Lessons must be developmentally appropriate for the age and not be too difficult or too easy. The testing and trials He allows in our lives are timed perfectly with much purpose and thought. It's for our good so we will be ready for "first grade." They are at the perfect level -- both challenging and achievable. Yet, He is always with us and never leaves us during any of it.

6. Every child needs their own "space" to call their own in Kindergarten. It gives them ownership and makes them feel in control. In my room, we have cubbies. In God's big heart, there is room enough for everyone. Not only that, but there is a spot, or space, for each of us individually with our names on it. In that place in God's heart, He sees and knows everything about us. We can call it our own. We can take ownership of our place in God's heart and be confident that He has made that place for us.

7. Positive discipline works best with kids. It's easier said then done sometimes, but kids really do respond better when the authority in their life is positive. God's philosophy is positive discipline. He sees the areas we are weak in and He knows our sin fully. Yet, He changes us through a process of patience and love. He speaks kind words over us, which motivates us to change. His leadership is so different than anyone's on the earth. He is different than the "mean teacher" that many of us are used to.

8. Most Kindergarteners can't write. Therefore, art becomes their "writing." At the beginning of the year, a lot of my kids were simply scribbling and I had no idea what their picture was about unless they told me. God loves the scribbles. He not only loves them, He tapes them up on His wall. He loves it when He sees us trying and takes delight in the fact that we know we can't measure up or meet the standard, but we're giving Him our all anyways. Our scribbles are on His fridge, for sure.

9. The best teachers are those who give the children control and don't control the children. This is done by giving them choices and making them feel like they are in control. God is not controlling. He gives us the choice to love Him and to serve Him. He also knows the desires of our heart and what we like best. And sometimes He will give us both choices just because He is so nice.