Lesson from the Nursery
Yesterday I had the joy of caring for babies in the church nursery. I just love this monthly turn I take watching a bunch of little, mostly preverbal toddlers for about an hour. I get to share the privilege with Jennie, Jake, Amy, Lawrence, and sometimes Bri.
Only a few of the workers can name all 13 zillion children (give or take a few)in the room. I am not one of them. I need to check the name tag on their back or ask other people when the tag is missing. Or, as in the case yesterday, I need to just look into their faces. That's what Jake was doing.
Little Macie toddled up to him, but Jake couldn't think of her name right away. "You must be Russ's kid," he said. "You look like your daddy."
Baby Sarah smiled at him. "You're a Zylka all the way," he noted aloud. "No doubt about that."
I took out a box of Cheerios. From all the way across the room, Isaiah heard the cereal shift. He came "running." Isaiah and I are pretty tight, since he's been to my house and played with Joel's toys. He's got his mother Crystal's eyes and cheekbones.
There was one newcomer. We only knew her by her nametag, since her mom wasn't familiar to most of us. By looking at her I couldn't make any connections to her parentage.
The lesson that my day in nursery reminded me of was the scripture, "You will know they are Christians by their love." I wondered if strangers would be able to say of our marriage, our family, our church, "I don't know their names, but I know who their Father is. See how they love each other!"
I wonder if they see compassion--or indifference--in me? Mercy or judgment? Peace or anxiety? Joy or gloom?
I hope that when I "toddle" (or waddle!) near enough for people to look in my face or see my actions, they will say, "She must be God's kid."
Only a few of the workers can name all 13 zillion children (give or take a few)in the room. I am not one of them. I need to check the name tag on their back or ask other people when the tag is missing. Or, as in the case yesterday, I need to just look into their faces. That's what Jake was doing.
Little Macie toddled up to him, but Jake couldn't think of her name right away. "You must be Russ's kid," he said. "You look like your daddy."
Baby Sarah smiled at him. "You're a Zylka all the way," he noted aloud. "No doubt about that."
I took out a box of Cheerios. From all the way across the room, Isaiah heard the cereal shift. He came "running." Isaiah and I are pretty tight, since he's been to my house and played with Joel's toys. He's got his mother Crystal's eyes and cheekbones.
There was one newcomer. We only knew her by her nametag, since her mom wasn't familiar to most of us. By looking at her I couldn't make any connections to her parentage.
The lesson that my day in nursery reminded me of was the scripture, "You will know they are Christians by their love." I wondered if strangers would be able to say of our marriage, our family, our church, "I don't know their names, but I know who their Father is. See how they love each other!"
I wonder if they see compassion--or indifference--in me? Mercy or judgment? Peace or anxiety? Joy or gloom?
I hope that when I "toddle" (or waddle!) near enough for people to look in my face or see my actions, they will say, "She must be God's kid."
posted by Zoanna at
12:04 PM
4 Comments:
Was it Twila Paris who sang "Father's Eyes?"
How appropriate. Good post.
She may have, but the one I remember was by Amy Grant.In fact, here's a bit of trivia, a blast from my past: When Amy Grant was only 17, she sang a concert at Fallston High School. I was 15, I think. Never knew that a decade a half later I would be part of a church who met in that school for worship for several years!
Neat post, Zoanna.
That Isaiah is one handsome kid. And Macie is such a sweetie! What a bunch of cuties must be in that room. Lucky you! ;)
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home