Love came down

The love of my (our) Father completely wrecks me. His kindness astonishes me daily. I am overwhelmed by His affection for us. The simple utterance of His name releases us from chains and brings freedom. I would just like to share a powerful testimony of the His kingdom pulled down to earth.

        As I walked from my third grade class I noticed one of our students sitting outside her room. She seemed unresponsive to the teacher manhandling her face. So I stepped in and kindly asked the teacher to go back to class so that she and I could talk. At this point I assumed she was merely acting out and with some encouragement would return to class. I soon realized that was not the case at all!
 
      She was not acting out or being stubborn, she very literally was unable to open her mouth or speak. I asked her multiple questions and her only response was a head shake. Eventually I asked her why she was unable to open her mouth and speak. Her eyes glanced downward with a slight panic in them. I then asked if she knew who had the power to set her free. Without hesitation her eyes darted up to the heavens. I knew in that moment we needed reinforcements. I called Lala, April, and Katie into the room  and explained what I believed to be going on. In a few short seconds we were all ready for battle. We laid our hands on this beloved child and began to call upon our Father. A few minutes later Katie told  her to try and say the name,  Jesus. We  all sat around her encouraging her to call upon His name. Every muscle in her body tensed as she tried with all her might to open her mouth and utter His name. Her lips jerked and then all at once she shouted JEZI!  You could sense the shattering of bondage in the room. Then just as quickly as her mouth opened you could see it was again held shut. We continued like this for a while until at last she said again JEZI! With each shout the grip of the enemy loosened. Until finally she was able to open her mouth and pray, giving thanks to her Father. Sitting on the floor in that room I could tangibly feel the love of the father poured out on His child. His kindness filled the space and I could not contain the joy I felt in my spirit. I just sat there laughing while tears of gratitude rolled down my cheeks. If I said thank you every minute of everyday, it would not be equal to the depth of gratitude in my heart for His undeserved loving kindness towards His children.

Daniel

         

So I recently have taken on the challenge of third grade teacher ! I'm not sure if anyone is aware of this fun fact but our third graders are at that wonderful age where HORMONES happen. Being an only child I never experienced younger brothers or sisters becoming teenagers and all range of mood swings that it in tales. All that to say.... it has been an adjustment from my small, fairly quiet kindergarten class; to my large, rowdy third graders. I must say though, as a class we have come a long way in the past few months!  Learning patience, understanding and the definition of inside voices! Which brings me now to Daniel.  

This precious young man and I have not always seen eye to eye on things. However, the other day he blew my mind and melted my heart with a very simple, yet powerful act of love. It all started when we passed in the hall a little after lunch time and I asked how he was doing. He responded "I'm fine. How you?" I told him that I was a little hungry because I had forgotten my lunch. He said "Oh." Then turned and walked away. I made my way back to my kindergarten class and got back to writing lesson plans for the next week. A few minutes later I see a face peeking in from my door. Its Daniel. "Sorry Tia there is no more rice today." I looked up from my papers to this beautiful face and could not have felt more loved in that moment. I thanked him for thinking of me and told him I would be alright. Grinning from ear to ear I turned back to my desk and kept working. But the story of kindness doesn't end there. About a minute later I see Daniel walking into my class room with his hands behind his back. He smiles, holds out his hand and puts a pack of cookies on my desk. "I bought these for you." He said. "Now you wont be hungry." He turned walked out of the room before I could pick my jaw up off the floor to say thank you. He didn't wait around for praise, or recognition. Only to make sure that his teacher had something to eat for lunch.
     
     "For it is in the giving that we truly receive" Francis of Assisi