At the behest of my dear spiritual director, I will refrain from detailing my reasons for being miffed. May it suffice to say that I was a witness to a litany of travesties from which I was unable to extricate myself. Instead, I'll focus on the reasons my heart swelled with so much pride that I was sure it'd burst into a confetti of hugs for my dear CCD children.
In the midst of absolute chaos, my class remained a tranquil pond of calm. Instead of talking to their friends, calling out to other children across the aisle or thumbing through their cell phones, they recited their rosaries. Instead of slouching in their seats, pulling their hoodies over their heads or constantly excusing themselves to "use the bathroom," my angelic little cherubs knelt reverently, hats off and hair tidy, to acknowledge the One for whom the tabernacle light flickered.
On top of that, as we practiced songs that I knew they regarded as childish and stupid, they hung in the pocket and offered that mortification for whatever intention they deemed important.
Dearest Lord, You understood the grief I felt at such negligence before I had the occasion to experience it. In Your Wisdom and Mercy, You gifted me the most resplendent class as consolation. No teacher has been more blessed than I in that paradoxical moment. I cannot possibly express the depths of my gratitude for so extraordinary a grace. Bless those children in so gracious a way as to enable them to always feel such love for You. Bless them to spark in them the desire to witness in such a gentle, brave manner.
I thanked my class before they left for the night. I wanted them to understand my appreciation for how they acted. It took a lot of courage to go against the tide and do the right thing. I am beyond proud of them. I honestly pray that some of the other folks there took heed of their golden example.
To all my blogger friends... keep these kids in your prayers. May they always enjoy the protection of Our Lady. No doubt they made her smile brilliantly :)
In the midst of absolute chaos, my class remained a tranquil pond of calm. Instead of talking to their friends, calling out to other children across the aisle or thumbing through their cell phones, they recited their rosaries. Instead of slouching in their seats, pulling their hoodies over their heads or constantly excusing themselves to "use the bathroom," my angelic little cherubs knelt reverently, hats off and hair tidy, to acknowledge the One for whom the tabernacle light flickered.
On top of that, as we practiced songs that I knew they regarded as childish and stupid, they hung in the pocket and offered that mortification for whatever intention they deemed important.
Dearest Lord, You understood the grief I felt at such negligence before I had the occasion to experience it. In Your Wisdom and Mercy, You gifted me the most resplendent class as consolation. No teacher has been more blessed than I in that paradoxical moment. I cannot possibly express the depths of my gratitude for so extraordinary a grace. Bless those children in so gracious a way as to enable them to always feel such love for You. Bless them to spark in them the desire to witness in such a gentle, brave manner.
I thanked my class before they left for the night. I wanted them to understand my appreciation for how they acted. It took a lot of courage to go against the tide and do the right thing. I am beyond proud of them. I honestly pray that some of the other folks there took heed of their golden example.
To all my blogger friends... keep these kids in your prayers. May they always enjoy the protection of Our Lady. No doubt they made her smile brilliantly :)
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