As a fairly new teacher for the 4th grade girls, I was hesitant and almost fearful to lead the song & dance scene for the 4th grade skit. Since all the 4th graders in Joyland were supposed to be in Joyland Christmas Celebration if they wanted to, the song & dance scene was mostly comprised of kids who were not assigned speaking roles. Many of these kids did not speak English as comfortably as the others kids in the skit and were more difficult to control. During practices, some were clearly bored, others wouldn't stop kicking each other, and in general, the atmosphere was increasingly tense. I knew that as a teacher I needed to show these kids the love of Christ more than anything else. Before each practice, I would dread herding these kids into the room to practice the steps over and over again - basically dread dealing with all their needs, whims, and requests.
However, the feelings of frustration and annoyance that I expected would come over me during practices were replaced by an increasing desire to love the kids. I found my heart expanding, wanting to make more room to care for them. I found myself smiling as I reassured them that they would do great when they expressed to me how scared they were to go on stage - realizing that similarly, God looks upon me as a little child, scared of the future, scared of what living this life will require of me. But God knows that we will get through everything life inevitably throws at us, because He knows more and will do more than we can ever imagine. As I saw them do their final performance on stage the day of JCC, smiles on their faces, no faces bruised or knees injured, I knew that the God we serve is indeed a faithful God.