Prophets and Preschoolers

Learning to be together,
Daring to be alone. 

The lessons we learn from Martin and Daniel

When we see something that interests us, we tell as many people as possible! Soon a crowd gathers and there is a great exchange of ideas…

The children observe the snowball they brought in the day before...

"It used be all white...like a ball." - Camila

"Now it's all water now." - Ralph

"It all fell down to the bottom." - Penny (looks under table)

"It melted so soft and wet." - Sydney

"Now it will evaporate!" - Zaiden

"There's dirt in there. And a bug. Don't drink it." - Cabot

A worm is sighted ...

"Watch it wiggle!" - Macy

"I can wiggle like that!" - Jerry

"It makes an 'S'!" - Zoe 


Second worm sighting...

"It's digging with its head!" - Harper

"No it's digging with its bottom!" - Ali

"How can you tell the difference?" - Viviana

"Look for some eyes." - Izzy

"Where is it going? .... Where does it live?" - Melanie

How sad the children were to learn, then, that there was a time not so long ago in our country when little children who did not look the same were not able to come together to play and learn. 

Thank goodness for prophets!

A prophet is someone who draws close to God and someone to whom God draws close, who loves God's word and shares that word with God's people.

We have been learning about prophets in worship. Throughout the year we have heard about Moses, Samuel, Jonah, Balaam, John, and now we are hearing about Daniel — Daniel who dared to stand alone, even when it was hard, even when no one else was doing the right thing. 

On Friday we learned of another prophet, who dared to use the word "together." His name was Martin... 

He said "together" when others said "separate."

He said "peace" when others said "war."  

— Doreen Rapport, "Martin's Big Words"

"Sooner or later, all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together."

- Martin

We heard these other words from Martin in worship, 

"I have a dream that one day ... little black boys and black girls will join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."

It was daring to say this. 

We are practicing being daring — to stand alone, even if it is a little bit scary. 

We sing ...

Dare to be a Daniel.

Dare to stand alone.

Dare to have a purpose firm.

Dare to make it known.

... and we do just that! We stand with purpose firm, without anyone to help, with all eyes on us. We do this in worship, and also in our class meetings. 

When does a preschooler need to dare to stand alone?

When can her voice, supported by no one else, create justice?

"You are not listening to Ellie! Listen to her! Ellie needs a turn too!" — Melenie

When can his act of kindness, though no one else (he thinks) is watching, create safety for a friend?

Cabot sees that a friend is sad as a group leaves that friend behind. Cabot, instead of answering the group's calls for him to follow, stays alone at the table where he is working and quietly considers the sad friend. Catching the sad friend's eye, Cabot makes a funny face at him, making the friend laugh. The friend then answers Cabot's silent, expectant face with a smile and comes over and works with him. 

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?' " 

- Martin

...This is our purpose firm. Even if we must stand alone. 

And the wonderful miracle of all of this is we never really stand alone! God is our rock and our strength, he helps us shine our light.

My God is a rock in a weary land

Weary land, weary land

My God is a rock in a weary land

Shelter in the time of storm.

We sing this in our closing meeting and this conversation follows...

"When I am alone in my dark room, I'm not really alone because Jesus is with me when I pray." - Elijah

"And it's not really dark because Jesus brings the light!" - Kai

"Even when you don't pray, Jesus is there."  - Amara

"Yea! And he's like, 'Why aren't you praying?!' " - Cabot

Because of prophets like Martin, it is easier for us to learn and play and grow together.  Because of prophets like Daniel we can stand alone even when it is hard. And in God we know we are never truly alone. 

Thank you, Daniel and Martin, for drawing close to God.

Thank you, God, for drawing close to Daniel and Martin.

Help us to draw close to you as well, 

and to each other, 

just as you draw close to us. 

You are my brother;

You are my sister.

We are the children of God,

Alleluia!

Your are my neighbor;

You are my friend.

We are the children of God, 

Alleluia!

P.S.

On Friday, as the children arrived at the park , Mr. Johnson said what he always says before sending them off to play...  

Mr Johnson: Trees Class! Look at your partner! Say their   name!

The children start saying each other's names. 

All except Alex...

Alex, looking at his partner:  "You are my sister." 

Gigi, beaming back: "You are my brother!" 

Alleluia, indeed. 

Amen.