The way I see it, the little ones in our midst, have a lot to teach us.
I was recording the road races for the little ones at the Naomi’s preschool, earlier this week and as I looked on at one particular race, I was really touched by an act of friendship, that I witnessed, first hand.
Here are some girls racing towards the finishing line, vociferously urged on by their parents, when two of them locked hands, even for a brief moment, as if indicating to the world, that they are ‘friends for life,’ and that they will always be there for each other.
They could not care less that the parents were screaming their heads off and urging each child to be first to the line.
They were friends and that was all that mattered.
Well I newa!
So, here is a teachable moment:
Parents, it makes no sense for you to get all stressed up over who wins and who does not. The children are obviously having fun and I dare say, ought to be allowed that distinctive privilege of just HAVING FUN.
All the threats of punishment, if they do not do well or on the other hand, the bribery of rewards to come, if they do well, are really not necessary.
That is what I believe is the cause for these little children to cry, when they lose races.
What do little children at those ages know about ‘feeling bad,’ if they don’t win a race?
Obviously, it is the pressure brought to bear by the parents and other family members, on the children, that cause them to cry when they do not win.
To me, it is a joy to see, a child, coming in LAST and literally grinning his or her way into the finishing line.
Mind you, watching the face of the parent may well reflect a different picture.
And so, my admonition is for us to take an example from those two children.
Even though they were supposedly engaged in fierce competition, they took time to look out for each other.
So too, we as adults can spare a moment each day, to help somebody, along the way.
Our varying political, religious and other views, should not be a barrier to prevent us from being what God expects us to be: Our brother’s keeper.
That’s the way I see it. How do you see it?
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