Life is full of firsts. Today was a first. Today was my 5 year old granddaughter's first day of Kindergarten. It seems like yesterday when her mom was in kindergarten. Time does really fly doesn't it. We talk alot about firsts but we seem to forget the lasts. Yesterday was Kaitlyn's last day of summer. It was her last day of not being in "real" school. From now until she graduates, school will be a very important part of her life. Her parents have thus far been the sole investors in her young life. (Ok we grandparents have also played a big role. But we are the nice guys!!) They have loved her, encouraged her, disciplined her, cherished her, and taught her right from wrong. They have lived out their faith before her and have sown seeds of the Christian faith. They have watered and nourished her very young trust. They will continue to provide for all of her needs mind, body, emotional and spiritual but their time investment will continue to decrease as she spends more and more time away from their tender care. That is life isn't it. That is how it goes. And it goes so very fast.
I remember two things about my Kindergarten year. One was I could not wait to learn to read. And once I mastered that task, I read everything I could. I love to read! The second thing I remember most about Kindergarten was Tony. I was raised in a predominantly white area and Tony was African American. I was fascinated. I had never met a black person that was my age and with whom I could interact. As I mentioned yesterday, I really do ask a lot of questions. I remember finding Tony on the jungle gym and bombarding him with questions like: Have you always been chocolate? Can I touch your skin? Does the color rub off? I was meserized with his short wirey hair and I had to touch it. So I asked permission. I remember being surprised to find it soft as I thought it would be course. For one Kindergarten year, Tony and I became fast friends. The next year we went to seperate schools and I never saw him again.
As these memories came rushing over me this morning, I prayed for Tony. I don't know where he is today or if he is even a believer but I felt the need to pray for him. God brought him to mind for a reason. You see Tony stood out. He stood alone. He was different from me, he stood out and as the only black in my class he stood alone and I certainly noticed.
As Kaitlyn begins her journey today in the academic arena, will she stand out? Will she stand alone? And if she does what about her will make others notice her? I hope it is her faith in Jesus. My prayer for my sweet grandaughter is that she will develop a steadfast and unwavering faith in Christ. I pray she will become utterly dependent upon her Saviour. And for that I pray she stands out. She may even have to stand alone. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew and then for the Gentile." Romans 1:16
So my sweet Kaitlyn always be willing to "stand alone" if necessary for the sake of the Gospel" And always remember this from Philippians one verse 6, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus" Always remember that you are "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." I love you with all my heart! Nana
No comments:
Post a Comment