My Preschool Lesson on Thanksgiving

This month in preschool,  my co-teacher made a “We thank God for” Turkey bulletin board in our classroom. Each feather had a child’s name and a description of what he or she was thankful for. Here are some of the responses we received:

• I’m thankful for my mom and dad
• I’m thankful for my brother and sister
• I’m thankful for my cat and dog
• I’m thankful for my toys
• I’m thankful for Iron Man and Star Wars.  
• I’m thankful for God, Jesus, Holy Ghost and cockroaches. I have no clue why cockroaches got equal billing with the Holy Trinity but that’s why the 4-year old mind is a wonderful thing. I am sure God got a kick out of this child’s response because He created cockroaches and probably thinks they’re pretty cool too.

The great thing about working with preschool children is that they are very literal. Which I find very funny! For example, in November we taught two scripture verses. The first verse was “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and as you can see from our Thanksgiving Turkey even 3-4 year old children recognize God's blessings in their lives.  The second scripture verse was, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). This verse made a profound impact on one of our sweet girls. On the playground one day, she went around giving the teachers cups of water as she told us, “See I’m being a cheerful giver.” Oh, we were so proud thinking, “Thank you Lord, they are learning to hide your word in their heart.”

So on an unseasonably hot November day she decided to be extra giving.  While on the playground, I saw my sweet student fill up her water glass and approach a teacher from behind.  I am just beaming with pride and patting myself on the back, thinking, “Yes, she’s in my class.” When suddenly, she tosses the cold water right on the teacher’s back! “Sweetie, why did you do that?” “WELL, she looked hot!”  In all fairness, it was really hot that day and she did have a cheerful attitude while she threw the water…

See why I love working with preschoolers! They get it.  They don’t have to over analyze everything.  God says, “Be a cheerful giver” and they give. God says, “In everything give thanks” and they look around their immediate environment and see a million blessings.  They give thanks for family, imaginary characters, and even insects because in their eyes these things are magical and bring them joy.

Oh, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could always keep our preschool perspective on life and remember to thank God for all His blessings? You see, saying “Thank You” to God is not just a nice gesture of empty words. It’s our way of honoring and worshiping God. It’s sacrificing our complaining, ungrateful hearts on the alter of his grace.  It’s being in awe of His mercy and falling down in gratitude because the One and Only True God, who created the Heavens and Earth, who was and is to come, loved us so much that He saved us from our sin and chose us to be His very own children.

Psalm 50:23 (CEV)

The sacrifice that honors me is a thankful heart.  Obey me, and I, your God, will show my power to save.

Hebrews 12:28(NLT)

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

Recently, I got a new perspective on the story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers. You see, after He healed them of their leprosy only one man came back to thank him.

Luke 17:15-19(MSG)

One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” Then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.”

I always thought that the moral of the story was how it is rude not to show gratitude to God for our blessings. But the last verse “Your faith has healed you” also means “Your faith has saved you.” This healed man got it! This man was not only healed on the outside but he was healed on the inside.  Jesus looked into this man’s heart and saw worship and gratitude. Jesus had compassion on all ten men, loved and healed them equally of their physical illness but only one man got the healing of salvation.  Jesus will bless us because He loves us more than we can comprehend but having a grateful heart shows Jesus how much we love Him. And a thankful heart allows us to get closer to God.

Psalm 100:4 (AMP)

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!

When I remember all that God has done for me, not only my material provisions but also the gifts of: forgiveness of sin, salvation, eternal life, hope in the darkness, security through the storms, refuge in times for fear, healing from pain, and unconditional love, I can’t help but give thanks.  I’d like to end with a portion of Psalm 116 as my sacrifice of praise this Thanksgiving:

Psalm 116 (NLT)
I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me.
I saw only trouble and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the LORD: "Please, LORD, save me!"
How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this LORD of ours!
The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me.
Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me.
He has saved me from death,
My eyes from tears,
My feet from stumbling.
And so I walk in the LORD's presence as I live here on earth!...
What can I offer the LORD for all he has done for me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the LORD's name for saving me.
I will keep my promises to the LORD in the presence of all his people...
I will offer you a sacrifice f thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD....

So this Thanksgiving, embrace your inner preschooler and look around your world. What are you thankful for? I'm thankful for the blessing of working at an awesome Christian preschool, with wonderful teachers, filled with children whom God uses to teach me spiritual lessons daily, and for each and every one of you who reads my posts. I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Love,

Yolanda

The Perfect Date

Today I went to lunch with my hubby and across the booth from us was a lady sitting all alone. She caught my attention because it was almost as if she was on the perfect date…with herself.  I actually felt a little envious even though I was having a lovely lunch with my handsome man.

It reminded me of the scene from the movie, The Breakfast Club, where Molly Ringwald is eating lunch in detention with a bunch of high school misfits. As they are taking out their boring lunches, she opens up her neat little lunch box, places a wooden tray on her desk, and proceeds to place a small black Sushi tray on it with her cute little soy sauce bottle. The rest of the misfits just stare at her perfect little lunch in amazement. 

This lady who caught my eye took it upon herself to create the most inviting setting for her lunch date with herself. She ordered her water in a wine glass with a lemon slice on the rim. She opened up her Kindle and propped it up on her little stand so she could read her novel. Soon the waiter placed before her the most appealing black tray with a little scoop of white rice, an entree, a small salad, and a delicious looking red dessert.  I’m so glad her back was to me because YES I was staring.  She looked so elegant, refined, confident, and completely at peace with herself.

I don’t know why she intrigued me so much? As I left the restaurant, I found myself wanting to talk to her. But what could I say? “Wow! You are so cool. I wish I could have been like you when I was younger.” You see, when I was younger I didn't have a lot of confidence. I would never have dared to go to lunch alone. I was insecure, fearful, and I tended to hide behind other people.  Actually, it took me until I turned 40 to start embracing the person God made me: chunky, spunky, and little nutty. I regret wasting so much time worrying about other people's opinions.

I wanted to share the impact this lady’s perfect little lunch had on me today.  Because I don’t want you to be like me and waste another minute thinking you’re not worthy, whether it’s making an ordinary lunch special or asking the God of the Universe to answer your prayers.  Take for example, Friday night I went to church and the pastor asked people to come forward for prayer if they wanted to experience the Holy Spirit’s presence in a deeper way.  I didn't hesitate but jumped right out of my seat. A few years ago, I would have stayed in my seat, convincing myself that my prayers weren't as worthy as someone else and I would rob myself of God’s blessings.  I would be lying if I didn't admit that I still struggle, especially when I don’t see the answer to my prayer manifested the way my human limitations can understand. But my struggle doesn't stop me from getting out of my seat anymore and seeking God's will for my life.

I am writing the following prayer for myself and for you if you are letting fear, a lack of confidence, or feelings of unworthiness hold you back from God:

Lord Jesus, help me not to hide behind feeling of unworthiness or run from the calling You have for my life. Help me to see myself as You see me, as Your precious child. Bring to mind all of my answered prayers and remind me to give thanks for all my many blessings.  Don’t let fear of what others may think prevent me from living the life You have planned for me.  Thank you for loving me long before I ever knew You and thank you that You promised never to leave me or forsake me. Help me to feel Your love so I can share it with others. Amen.

1 John 4:7-19 (NLT)God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.  This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins...And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.  Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.  And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.  Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.

Love,

Yolanda