Tonight, I am giddy with excitement over Promotion Sunday for our children at church. Maybe it is the former children's minister in me or maybe it is because I am a current preschool Sunday school teacher of two year olds. Whatever the reason, I am excited about the wonderful opportunity to teach another class of young preschoolers. It is a privilege watching these young ones grow spiritually, mentally, and physically over the course of a Sunday School year like young Jesus (Luke 2:52).
I might be giddy as a preschool teacher; however, I realize there are many unsure parents and grandparents on the night before Promotion Sunday. They wonder if they should leave a child with separation anxiety or maybe they wonder what will the child gain from being in a Sunday School classroom. Unlike a daycare or elementary school, there is no job/government requiring a parent to leave his/her child. Sunday school is completely optional. For those parents and grandparents who give their children a chance in attending Sunday school.... Thank you!!! It might be hard to hear your young one cry at first or to wake up your kids and get ready for church, but know our teachers are excited and ready to teach your child.
Every year on promotion Sunday, there are preschoolers and young children who have a hard time staying in a new classroom. Last year, I had not one, but two children in my class who were less than thrilled about staying without their grandma. I wrote my thoughts and feelings that evening almost a year ago this week. Below is an excerpt.
"Today, I left exhausted from the two year old Sunday school class I teach on a weekly basis, but it was a good Sunday. We had two crying, sobbing, and slobbering preschoolers, but like I said it was a good Sunday. They finally stopped crying for "Grammy" five minutes after she left them in our care, but about every five minutes something would set off one of the uncertain cousins. Eyes welled up with tears which then caused a chain reaction for the other one to cry. I am so thankful for the grandma bringing her two sweet granddaughters to Sunday school. I am thankful as well for other young moms and dads who are not sure about bringing their young preschooler because of separation anxiety, but they try it anyway.
In Mark 10:14, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." Jesus did not say, "Let all the good little children only with huge smiles on their faces come to me." Jesus did not exclude any child. He also did not say, "I do not want the screaming 10 month old" or "please do not bring the two year old throwing a temper tantrum."
Some of the picture Bibles we have can give a false impression our children must be perfect in order to enter the presence of the Holy One. Jesus wants us to bring our children as they are screaming, crying, smiling, obeying, or even disobeying. He desires for them to come worship him and learn more about him and not only when our child is at his or her best. I am thankful for the parents and grandparents who entrust us with their screaming, crying, snot spraying children so we might have a small part in helping a preschooler grow spiritually."
I am happy to report one cousin continued to join us throughout the year (the other cousin and her family live out of town). In the beginning weeks, this little brown eyed cutie only wanted to be held and never wanted to leave the table to play in centers. Last week was her final week in my class before promotion. She was smiling. She was happy. She played in centers. She quietly joined our group for the Bible story time to listen as I shared the lesson for the morning. She is one of the many reasons I find joy in ministering to children. I hope you decide to bring your child to learn about Jesus this Sunday morning.
