Carpet Prayers

As a teacher, and for all teachers out there, I feel like I should start this post with...

WE HAVE TWO DAYS LEFT OF SCHOOL UNTIL SUMMERTIME!!!!

Hal-lel-u-jah!!

Two days left of my second year as a teacher. Seems like yesterday I was trudging through the snow and 500 mile winds up at Appalachian State. Time flies.

Anyways, like any teacher during this time of year, our school days have been filled with lots of excited little bodies, non-rule followers, extra recess, and movies galore. Yesterday we spent quite a bit of time outside, came in, and sat on the carpet to watch Reading Rainbow ("Butterflies in the sky, I can fly twice as high..." I know the whole theme song now.). They were actin' a tad bit outta hand so I decided we all just needed a few minutes spent with our eyes closed. You know, time to ourselves where we could all get our bodies under control.

As I look around at my little friends I see most eyes closed, a few eyes peeking to make sure they weren't the only ones with their eyes closed, and then one little friend with his hands clasped like he is in prayer. And what do ya know, homeboy starts to pray and I almost start to cry.

Dear God,
Thank you for school. Help me to have good behavior. Help me with reading and math.
Amen.

The kids sitting around him start whispering and one of my girls pipes up because she is clearly trying to go along with the prayer. "Shhhh, he's praying!" Next thing I know, half the class has their eyes closed and hands clasped in prayer in agreement with him.

And there I was, sitting at the front of my classroom, looking at this little friend praying to the God of the Universe. I will be honest, half of my heart started getting nervous and my eyes wondered to the classroom door hoping no one super important would walk in. Then my heart felt at ease and I was reminded that He IS the God of the Universe, a God that cannot and will not be stopped. Not only is His name I AM, but He hears the prayers of all people and He desires the type of childlike faith of this particular friend. All this little person was asked to do was to take a minute to close his eyes and the first thing he knew to do was to pray. Props to his parents for teaching about the most important relationship that ever has and ever will exist.

I saw a glimpse of what community should look like. Friends, peace, and childlike prayers.

This moment reminds me that my prayers, as simple and sometimes ridiculous as they may be, are always heard. Not only are my prayers heard but the entire planet's prayers are heard. He created each heartbeat according to His will. And that's purpose.

Father thank you for such a sweet moment. Thank you for this student with faith at the age of 5. I ask for this type of childlike faith and to focus on Your character when my mind feels unrest. You are God, I am not. Let me not fill the spaces of my heart with things I can do. Let this always be Your job to carry out, to fill my heart with all that You are. Help me release my desire for control, letting loose the reigns like a child relies on his parent. 

Amen.