A Word From The Day School
“But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
- Luke 18:16
Have you ever met an adult that you thought might have some difficulty fitting in? Have you imagined how that person was as a child? What if the children around them celebrated those differences and called that child friend?
In a beautiful moment a few months ago, I had the privilege of witnessing heaven’s embrace and the goodness in creation as acknowledgment and acceptance were the inclined behavior of a 5 year old.
This year there was a unique mixture of students in one of our Day School classes, and as with all classes, each child brought a different gift and personality through the door. In this particular class the energy was high, the personalities big and the camaraderie was evident in Chapel, in the hallways and on the playground. This group was fun but could also be exceptionally challenging.
Our staff at the Day School is an incredible gift to not only me but to the families of these children they help raise over the course of the year. The teacher of this particular class rose to the occasion of reigning in, raising up and celebrating this special group of students.
The group challenged one another, learned about their individual strengths and weaknesses and found new ways to accept and love one another. They came from different areas and attended different churches. The beauty and community that echoed from this group stemmed from the gifts they acknowledged about one another, always calling one another friend. There was an exceptional reader, a child that was a natural leader, a child who loved games, a child who had a competitive nature, a child who noticed details. All of these gifts were called out by the teacher. All of these gifts were celebrated and valued by her and by the class as a whole. These were the body parts that made the body of Christ within the walls of this classroom, and these 5 year olds were taking an active role in being the body. They offered acceptance, forgiveness and grace in ways that were innate and natural.
In Chapel, we start off by saying, "At University Day School we know God loves us, we belong to God and God created us to do His good work." These students did the good work, are doing the good work and they will leave this place to continue the good work.
What if the adults around children within this church continue to celebrate and call out these gifts? I have hope that beautiful moments where we are able to witness heaven’s embrace and the goodness in creation will be commonplace. My deepest hope is that each child that enters the doors of University will leave knowing they are loved, they belong and they have purpose.
Blessings,
Amanda Nunneley