Amazing Grace!

So, you all know by now (as my husband pointed out to me this evening that EVERYONE knows by now....) that substitute teaching is just NOT my bag of tea. God, however, used this week to teach me a valuable lesson. I was gently reminded today of what it is all about - and I found that it sure is NOT all about me.

We have chosen to put our children in Christian school. I know it isn't the choice for everyone, and I know many Christian kids who are successfully going to public schools - and many of my friends home-school. I'm just saying this is the right thing for our family, and today I am even more thankful for the opportunity. Christian education is not just about academics, but also about growing godly character and learning how to serve the Lord. I know church and home life do that as well - but we have the advantage of a third factor supporting us in this pursuit.

At our school, the 2nd - 6th grade classes rotate going to the local nursing home to sing for the residents. Today was the 4th - 6th graders' turn. I initially wasn't going to go with my class (5th and 6th grades) - but I seriously believe that God intended for me to be there.

Because we live in Missouri now and have to deal with concepts new to this ex-Tennessee resident, completely foreign concepts like state income tax, we also have to get our vehicles inspected before we can renew the license plate stickers. So, today I needed to get my vehicle inspected, which I was going to do while my class was singing at the nursing home (Dan went with my class, as did the 4th grade teacher). HOWEVER, when I got to the service station, the mechanic guy asked if I could come back in 30 minutes for my inspection. Since the nursing home was just down the road, I decided to go hear the kids sing while I waited - and I am SO glad I did!!

A few of the children performed on the piano and trumpet, but for the most part, our students just sang some old-fashioned hymns. Something about hearing children sing about God just touches my heart anyway, but to think of the ministry they were performing to the elderly residents in that room made it even that much more poignant. The last hymn they sang was "Amazing Grace," which perked up many of the residents because it is such a familiar song. Many sang along, even some of the workers sang. When it was over, I saw one lady in a far back corner who had tears in her eyes. She told the other teacher very excitedly how that was a song she loved. THAT is what it's all about: OTHERS. I'm getting it...slowly.

I stayed around a few more minutes as the kids always go around and shake hands with the people who come - and then they get kool-aid and treats from the aides. I watched my son, who is 10 years old, talk to some of the residents. I heard him introduce himself to a lady in a wheelchair and watched her pat his arm.

I know how hard it is for some children to talk to the elderly, especially in a nursing home setting like this. My mom used to take me with her to the nursing home with our church's ministry when I was a child. I will forever associate angel food cake with that memory because I served that to the people every time I went. I am so thankful she made me go. It was one of those "hard things" for me, but it was so good for me to step outside my comfort zone. Thankfully, visiting like that comes more naturally to my son (he takes after his dad!), and I hope he will always, always retain that sweet attitude of wanting to be kind. I'm so thankful he (and our whole family) can be a part of a school that gives our children the opportunity for Christian service, to share a little of God's amazing grace with others.