Wednesday of Week Three

People were bringing children to him in order that he might touch them, and the disciples spoke sternly to them.

But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for

it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the

kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” —Mark 10:13-15

During my life, I have felt God’s peace many times. The first time was when I was eight years old. This is amazing since my family did not attend a church that preached about God’s peace and love for one another.

I am dyslexic. As a barefooted child running through the grass, I would step on a grass burr. Because of my dyslexia, I would call it a burr grass and other children would laugh at me. I remembered my mother saying, “She gets the cart before the horse,” in response. At school, “getting the cart before the horse” was very embarrassing. My first and second grade teachers were kind and helpful with my dyslexia. However, my third-grade teacher was not kind or helpful to me, nor were the other students in my class. She would have a student stand by their desk and ridicule their work, dress, or whatever she disliked about them. Unfortunately, I had other teachers like her as well.

Toward the end of the third grade, I was standing under the crepe myrtle trees in our family’s front yard. While there, I was thinking to myself of finally being free of Miss Calvert and of all the mean things that should happen to her. Then, suddenly, the meanness went away. There was a peace, a calm, that fell over my little third grade mind—something bigger than the pain of ridicule. I knew that I would be a teacher of young children. Every student of mine would be loved, never ridiculed, and helped to succeed. I knew God was leading me in this direction.

As a result, I taught in public schools for thirty years, teaching both young children and adolescence. To this day many former students keep in contact with me. What a blessing it is to hear from them. As I go about my daily life, I still feel God’s peace, his abiding grace guiding me.

Author: Linda Butler

Personal Reflection:

Reflect on the simple, trusting faith of a child. When was the last time you approached God with complete trust? How can you cultivate that childlike faith again?

Daily Action:

Spend time encouraging a child today—whether it’s through reading a book with them, playing a game, or simply listening to them. Maybe it is a phone call, or text telling them that they are great! Let them know they are valued and loved.