day 64: a brave new soul

I knew from the time Reagan was a toddler that I had a very compassionate child on my hands. She's always been amazingly aware and sensitive to others' feelings. Lately, when it comes to anything related to the Bible or God, she is incredibly curious and knowledgeable (as much as a 6-year old can be). In the same stroke, she's shy around even a small group of people. She can be timid, even embarrassed, and seldom outspoken unless she's really comfortable with who she's around. (but of course, she doesn't shut up at home :)

One of the perks for me teaching in the same building that my kids attend school at is that their teachers can relay a message to me rather quickly.....which may not be so much of a perk to my kids. Whether good or bad, I'm just an email or phone call or knock on the classroom door away.

This morning, before I left with my students to do some work at a local homeless shelter (which is another story for another day), a few elementary teachers stopped me within minutes of each other. Each of them told me what a good job Reagan did in chapel that morning, how she spoke so sweetly, and how it brought tears to their eyes.

I think I asked them if they meant Kennedy, not Reagan. I didn't know that either of the girls was supposed to be doing anything for chapel this morning, which we have every Wednesday. But no, it apparently was Reagan. They asked for volunteers to come up in front of the worship center and tell everyone (the entire elementary school) what God has done for them lately. My mild, shy Reagan volunteered. She told them all how her Daddy left for "Affaganastand", and how it made her sad and scared, but that God has kept her Daddy safe and has helped her be not as sad and scared.

Tears.....

When she came up to my room at the end of the day, she immediately told me what she had done. The gleam in her eyes told me that she was proud of herself, but that she was seeking my approval, too. I told her how proud I was of her, that she was able to tell so many people about the good things God has helped us to do. And that her Daddy would be proud of her, too.