Here’s Hope: “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” ( Quote from Fred Rogers )
Bible Reading: Matthew 19:13-15 ( One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them…” ) Please read the entire passage from Matthew 19.
Consider This: In this season of graduation, we often think of our high school and college students and we should recognize and honor them for their achievement. But the graduation ceremony that I have missed the most this year due the dreaded coronavirus, is our North Run Pre-K graduation. If you have never been privileged enough to attend one, you are missing a heartwarming rite of passage for these curious little ones and their parents and grandparents. This ceremony usually takes place the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend. I know I am a little late in writing about this annual event. However, it just occurred to me as I was thinking about our high school graduates, for the first time in 45 plus years, our North Run Pre-School did not have their “normally scheduled” graduation service. In speaking with Hollis, our Pre-K Co-Director, she acknowledged that that last Thursday in May was a sad and disheartening night because they did not get to celebrate with their children. Normally on that graduation night you would hear songs like, “Jesus I Love You”, “If I Were A Butterfly”, “Take Me Out to The Ball Game” and see and hear three and four year olds tap tapping their tap sticks and finally playing their kazos in a 40 piece Pre-K orchestra.
The beauty of the ministry of our North Run Pre-K is that their curriculum is based on Christ-based principles. Learning social skills, manners, and respect for their fellow students is primary and academics is secondary. As the quote from Fred Rogers cited at the start of this devotion says, “But for children, play is serious learning.” I would contend that our Pre-K staff of teachers and directors understand the impact of Jesus’s words in Matthew’s Gospel when he said, “ the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Our Pre-K ministry staff see the value of teaching God-honoring life lessons like giving thanks to God for our families and our daily food are foundational in planting the seeds of the Gospel in the lives of these little ones. For our Pre-K students, seeing a flower or bug on the playground outside, is what we call in Vacation Bible School, a “God-sighting.” ( Something that gives evidence to God’s goodness or wonder of His creation.) This type of learning is what points our precious children to their Heavenly Father. This June as we think about graduation for our high schoolers, may we give thanks for the caring and nurturing ladies who make up our Pre-K ministry staff who missed celebrating with their young students that last Thursday in May. We thank God for these special teachers who invest in these young lives, so these children can sense the essence of what God’s love is like with caring people like our Pre-K staff.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for caring and loving Moms who make up our North Run Pre-K ministry team. Please bless the children they minister to each day. May the seeds of the gospel continue to grow in the hearts of these little ones and may You be honored in their lives. Amen.