The Thoughts of a Child

I had an interesting experience yesterday with a student that I mentor at Hawthorne Elementary. We were working on multiplication flash cards (which she just buzzed right through by the way) and just going through a regular session when she got to talking, and I started to listen...

I was amazed at what the little girl had to say about life, her family, and most importantly, the really cool field trip they took to camp Eberhart last week. All I did in this conversation was ask questions, nod my head, make small, appropriate comments, and cared. In this conversation, I learned that they got to do a whole bunch of things like sit around a bon fire and play games at the camp. I was able to learn who she lives with and really that she just plain misses her dad and wishes he could live closer. She may get to be with him for 3 weeks in the summer but she might not get to go if she has summer school. I realized that it was important for me to be her mentor. She needs positive male role models in her life.

What happens too much in this society is that children tend to get ignored when it comes to listening to what they have to say and what they feel. Us adults tend to be too busy when it comes to the thoughts and questions of children. If I remember right, Jesus told all of the children to come to him, even as some of his disciples tried to chase them away because he was "too busy".

Although they may be small, children's problems are huge in their eyes. It is a BIG deal that they missed 5 minutes of recess because they were misbehaving. Kids have a lot of the same problems we do, just in miniature form.

Having a simple conversation with a child is letting them know that you care about them and what happens to them means something to someone out there.

Its a tough world for kids nowadays. Let's do what we can to make life just a little bit easier for them and show them, through our actions, that Jesus love and cares for all of them.