One of the things I enjoy most about the yard leading up to the school building is the promise that it will be filled with dandelions come spring and that, as a result, the children will be delighted to pick them and make wishes and pick "one more". I see these simple pleasures as acts of worship. Anytime we take time to stop, notice and enjoy God’s creation, we are worshiping. Children know how to do this in a way that adults tend to forget. In the hustle and bustle of our daily "to-do lists", we often move through our days without stopping to delight in the beauty around us; we forget to take the time to make wishes.
As I have been watching the children enjoy the dandelions over the past few months, I remembered a poem I shared with the teachers as we began the school year and wanted to share it with you, also...
As I have been watching the children enjoy the dandelions over the past few months, I remembered a poem I shared with the teachers as we began the school year and wanted to share it with you, also...
Mud Puddles and Dandelions
~ author unknown ~
When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me,
I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money
and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them
and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.
My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it.
I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.
When I pray, I say "Thee and Thou", and "grant me this",
"give me that". My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight.
Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet.
I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."
When I see a mud puddle I step around it.
I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets.
My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers
to cross and worms to play with.
I wonder if we are given children to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children!!
"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may
look back and realize they were the big things."
Just a reminder about the important things in life.
I wish you mud puddles and dandelions!
~ author unknown ~
When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me,
I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money
and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them
and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.
My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it.
I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.
When I pray, I say "Thee and Thou", and "grant me this",
"give me that". My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight.
Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet.
I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."
When I see a mud puddle I step around it.
I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets.
My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers
to cross and worms to play with.
I wonder if we are given children to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children!!
"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may
look back and realize they were the big things."
Just a reminder about the important things in life.
I wish you mud puddles and dandelions!
