Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Cross (as in the Cross of Christ) (08/17/06)
-
TITLE: Trinity's Cross | Previous Challenge Entry
By Birdie Courtright
08/23/06 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
My fingers closed tightly around my hope for Trinity’s future, as the saleswoman placed it in the palm of my hand. Tears edged their way to the surface. No one knew better than I, the depths that Christ reaches to snatch us from the roads that lead away from Him. I prayed He would keep her far from those roads; that she would remain at His feet, as pure in her devotion at eighty, as she is at ten.
“May I wrap that for you, ma’am?” I nodded, blinking back my emotional moment. I wanted this to be a gift that would stay with Trinity for years to come. Maybe someday, twenty years from now, she would pull it from a drawer to remind herself that Jesus is her source of strength. Perhaps it would lie tucked away and forgotten in a box of memories until at an appointed time, she would find it and renew her commitment. Or maybe, like me she would just hold it in the palm of her hand, marveling over its power in her life.
Who knew when I began teaching so many years ago, that the kids were actually listening? I thought it was just sort of ‘kid duty’ at first. I enjoyed it, but I wondered sometimes if it served any real purpose. Dustin continued to pinch Anna all the way through the Fruit of the Spirit classes, and when we got to self control, he graduated to hair-pulling and spitting. Never mind that we made cute hats and T-shirts that had been specially designed to remind them to keep their hands to themselves, and their words gentle—they were always bouncing off the walls by the end of class. Four year olds were just un-teachable, I surmised.
Before I knew it they were six and on their way to the first grade teacher. A whole new group arrived in my classroom to test my longsuffering bone. I grew to love them all. Last summer I graduated from teaching the preschool children to upper elementary; there were all my little sheep anxious to learn and excited to show me who they had become. I have to admit, they wowed me. Eagerly we dived into the Ancient Champions and new champions quickly emerged; quiet precious Trinity was fast becoming a leader.
She holds the record for acquiring the most McDonald gift cards—a treasure only earned by those who complete the at-home bible study each week. She was anxious to be a supportive team captain as they vied each week for Redeemed trading cards, and took her teams’ losses with a cheerful disposition. Her older brother often gave her a run for the money (or in this case, cards), but was quick to come to her aid—she responded well to his lead, sometimes taking the victory because of it, but never flaunting the win.
Holding Trinity’s cross in the palm of my hand was a humbling experience. At the ripe age of ten, she has found her way; purposing to honor the Cross that she will wear—to serve it, with deep understanding that it first served her.
Honor, Intrepidity and Strength—we are H.I.S.; for His battles we are trained, in His worship we are unceasing, for His service we are prepared. That is the mantra of our Kingdom Quest class. Who knew when I met these children again, they’d be listening? I watched ten year old Trinity enter the Baptismal pool, to behold a Knight emerge…so much for ‘kid duty’.
Of course, a knight can’t be forged from the rib of one Sunday school teacher—as ten year olds go, it’s a path guided by parents who are knights themselves. A knight is formed from the ribs of many teachers along the way—that’s still not enough.
There is the Cross for each us where living water and the blood of our Christ flows from between His ribs—Trinity discovered a deeply hidden treasure; His fount. Therein lays the heart of a true knight in quest. In the spirit of humility, knights receive honor quietly in the Holy Kingdom. I pushed the tiny box into her hand; silently praying Trinity’s quest had only begun.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Ah, to see the little ones I teach today become the leaders, the warriors, the Knights of tomorrow.
Thank you for sharing this HeartCry.
God bless,
Kevin
Thank you, also, for all your kind comments on my writing, noted again with my "cross" entry. Thank you, friend. I need to get better acquainted with you via your writing, I see!