He didn't believe I can do that.
“You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.”
One thing about me is that I love children so much that one minute, I am smiling and the next minute, I am changing my mood with them. No, I am not mean. I just don't like when children are too spoilt and could do anything bad. We need to discipline them in the right way because the Bible says when we use one hand to beat a child, we should embrace them with the second hand. Is that how it's written? I might just have summarized it but do you get my point?
Yesterday made it the fourth Sunday I joined the Children's teacher's department in my Church. Last month, I started going for worker's training because I want to work for God and not become a member all the time.
I was once a chorister for 3 years before I gained admission and since I have been in school, I wasn't interested in joining any department because RCCG if you notice, especially when you want to join the choir, you will always spend money to buy different colours of clothes. When I was a choir and teaching then, I realized there is more to colours than the 12 types of colours I know of. I got to know something like tomato red, indigo red if there's anything like that 😅😅
The salary I got as a teacher, I would be spending on clothes just because I want to rope with others on a Sunday and wouldn't want to look different from them. So, this made me step down from choir when I got to school because I was a student.
Some weeks ago, I decided to participate in workers training so I can have my certificate and would be able to join the workforce in the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
I joined the department the next Sunday and there were only a few children. Three pastor's children and some other member's children. My pastor has three children, two boys and a girl. The girl is the eldest and if I am not wrong, she should be 9-10 years. There is this boy who is the last born called Donald. He will be clocking five years in September but he is so troublesome and restless.
The first time I joined them, I acted so simple and innocent to them as I was condoning this little boy's behaviour during Sunday school lessons. The children weren't familiar with me yet and I took it slow with them on my first day.
Throughout the service, while the teacher was taking them, this boy was just restless and disturbing others. It got to a point, he fell and hit his back head on the ground and it was swollen. He cried so hard.
As a lover of children and being able to understand kids to a little extent, I wasn't to be mean or harsh to them but to act nicely and welcoming which I did.
The next Sunday, it was only I and a teacher who took them and this boy didn't stop disturbing the class even when I was cautioning him. He still wouldn't stop. I left him alone and kept watching and allowing him to do his thing. Who said children do not know what is good and bad? Donald could have just kept quiet when he knows we were teaching them the word of God.
I don't like such a thing.
On the third Sunday, it was the two of us again taking them. Others weren't around and while the lesson was going on, Donald was just disturbing the class and others who were paying attention to my teachings. Then, I looked at Donald and said
“Bro Donald, if you make noise or disturb my class again, I would take you outside and lock the door”
He looked at me and said “No, you can't” he continued and I kept looking at him with a smile. At least I want him to keep quiet so he doesn't disturb me. All through, I left him alone while I continued my thing.
Then, yesterday, I was the only teacher with them and I even thought how would I control them, especially with this stubborn Donald. He is my friend and I like him but sometimes, a kid like him needs to be disciplined.
During the lesson, Donald kept testing my patience and I was just looking at him. I warned him more than twice to keep quiet or else, I would throw him out. He didn't believe I could do such a thing which I did. I carried him, he was so heavy that he was trying to overpower me 😂😂😂
I carried his weak body and put him outside while I locked the door. Then, I continued. Other children kept looking at me.
A few minutes later, he entered and this time, he was so quiet. I never knew Donald could be so quiet and undisturbing. He only needs some spanking which I did with love.
Then I asked if anyone had questions to ask me since it was the revision we were doing. Other children asked and I answered them. I looked at Donald and smiled asking if he has any questions.
He looked at me for a while. I knew he wanted to say something but couldn't say it. Then he said
“I don't have any question”
I smiled and continued. Then he signalled and said, “I have a question”. He was so silent and pitiful. I was so happy and was like “The almighty Donald wants to ask a question” 🤣🤣
Then I allowed him to say something even though it took a while but I didn't want to discourage him.
Donald asked, “What will happen to any person that does not give God money?”
I was so excited and I told everyone to give Donald a round of applause because he asked such a beautiful question. I made sure I encouraged him with me praising and reinforcing him.
The children clapped and I could see in his face how happy he was. Throughout the lesson, he didn't make any noise and I gave him an answer to his question.
We treated tithing and the blessings in loving God's word as part of the topics being taught them previously.
Children are amazing creatures and if you don't discipline them making them aware what they are doing is right or wrong, they will keep doing it till they grow up.
Also, always encourage children when they speak. No matter what they say, it comes from their minds and if you ignore them, you have only killed that spirit in them.
Thanks for reading
Image by Anna Shvets on Pexels
Children are precious gift from God. They are the most innocent creatures I have ever seen. Though they may be annoying with their attitude at time, it is fun being around them.