Kids and Books

…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…Philippians 1:6

Every so often, something so amazing happens in our classroom that I feel like I should sign my paycheck over to the kids!  Last week I had one of those days!  It started as a simple job, but it turned into something so inspiring!  Ash Wednesday, all my female middle lovelies were singing like angels in the school choir and all the boys were asked by our friend Beth to help unpack and display all the Lenten Prayer Books available for parishioners.  When the boys returned to the classroom, a few of them had a copy of Matthew Kelly’s book, Rediscovering Jesus.  They were so excited to have a copy.  I was pleased that they were interested in the book but didn’t give it a whole lot more thought.  At the end of the day, I heard the boys who had grabbed the book having a discussion.  Since the book had 40 short chapters, they decided to read one each day of Lent and discuss the questions at the end of each chapter at morning recess.  I was stunned! The next morning, right before recess, they cracked open the book and began discussing the questions. At the sight of that, the rest of the boys decided to join them.  There was a quick run to church to grab more copies of the book and discuss the plans for their “Boys book study.”  

The girls in the room were watching and listening just like I was and one of them ask if they could do a book study too.  With all the sweetness and sincerity they could muster, one of them told me that it was the boys idea and they didn’t want to “steal”  their book.  I promised to go on Amazon that night and pick something for them to start next week.  I am ditching part of my lesson plans for the next few weeks so they can put their full effort into a Lenten book designed to help them grow in holiness.  When they left the room that day, I flopped down in my chair and I just started to cry.  I don’t know if I’ve ever been prouder of a group of students!  I am so inspired by them.  What they did was absolutely unprompted by an adult, it wasn’t suggested, offered, assigned or instigated by a big person…it was just some 12 year olds who wanted to make Lent a time to grow closer to Christ. 

These kids are amazing, they come from fabulous homes and they are surrounded by a community that prays for and supports them and boy does it show!  I’m old; I have degrees and I’ve been to seminars and trainings and workshops but I am so often outdone by the faith and spirit of the kids I get to spend my days with!  I don’t know if they will process the books the same way an adult will; I don’t know how in-depth their discussions will be; I don’t know if they will find the text difficult and frustrating at times but I believe the words of St. Paul to the Philippians and I know he will complete the good work he started with these amazing  kids who fill the seats in room 6-1.  I think it’s fair to say…the teacher just got schooled…and for that I am grateful!

A Seed To Plant: Be like these amazing kids…pick up a book and grow in holiness as you take 40 days to work your way through it.  There will be grace!​

Blessings on your day!