In the Small Stuff

            Such a beautiful thing, the mind of a child. 

            I stepped into church this morning with regret.  After waking up with only four hours of sleep, I was a walking zombie.  I wasn’t sure if I could even remember the children’s lesson for the week, let alone teach it to preschoolers.  But sometimes God is in the little details. 

            Miss Barb and I taught five angels in the five-year-old class.  Just as we had set up the activities for the morning, the children began to arrive.  Allie, a quiet blonde with pale blue eyes, wanted to build an alphabet puzzle.  Jaylen came and helped.  Ryan drew a picture of a pig, the animal in this week’s story.  Allison brought an interactive game that reminded me of my brother’s old Playstation Color, and played until Miss Barb had her put it away “so she wouldn’t lose it.” 

            The last to arrive was Mwiata, a dark beauty in a pleated black skirt and white and black striped sweater, looking as though she had just walked out of a business meeting or law firm.  She handed me a bag of valentines to hand out at dismissal before letting loose.  With a glance at the lesson, she recreated the entire Parable of the Prodigal Son: the son left to hunt for buried treasure, and when he finally found it, he spent it all on chocolate chip cookies.  He acquired a “terrrrrrible” stomachache and went home to his father, who took care of him until he felt better.

            I lost my heart today.

            It happened again a little later when we met the other classes in the small chapel for the large group lesson.  The storyteller had piled boxes to show the height of the tallest man in the world.  As soon as it caught the sight of Max, a three year old with a brown bowl cut, he stood, stepped directly in front of the cardboard tower, and breathed deeply. 

            “Wow.”

            What a lesson!  How often am I in awe of the ordinary?  How often do I consider the wonder of everyday life?  Lately, I haven’t taken the time to see the marvels around me.  On a morning like today, when I considered calling off, I found myself with an unexpected feeling.  Gratitude.