While doing a guided reading activity in class this week, my students were asked to write down what they wanted to be when they grow up. Creative, right? After finishing the story, I went back and let students share answers. This is what happened. And I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.
Me: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Jerome: "Chinese."
Me: "Um, okay, tell me more."
Jerome: "I want to be Chinese because you can work anywhere."
At this point, all kinds of stereotypes are running through my head and I'm thinking maybe he thinks all Chinese people are smart and he wants to be smart when he grows up (because, to be honest, as of right now, "smart" is not an adjective that fits him). I'm almost a little impressed with this rationale. Almost.
Me: "What do you mean, work anywhere?"
Jerome: "Because you can't work at the Chinese food place unless you're Chinese. It's a rule, they won't let you. And if I was Chinese, I could work there and get all the free food I wanted. That food is good."
At this point, I went on to the next student. I didn't know what else to say.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
worship: something in her
"...if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Luke 19:40
For the second Sunday in a row, Elliott has been kicked out of the nursery. Okay, not really kicked out, but politely asked to leave because she won't stop screaming and crying. Super.
So I pick her up last Sunday and head back into church. We're standing to sing so I just hold her and as we're standing there worshipping, she starts singing. Of course, she doesn't know the words (or any words for that matter), but in her little voice she is singing. And when the music stops, she stops. I thought this was just a coincidence the first time, but it's happened both Sundays.
And this Sunday it gave me chills. Because it's like she knows when to sing and when to stop. She's worshipping. My little one year old baby has something in her that's telling her to praise Him.
Listening to her sing makes Luke 19:40 come alive for me. We are made to worship. We are made to praise our Creator. And my little child whom I love more than life itself gets it. She probably has a better understanding of the need and desire to worship than the majority of adults. How pure and simple.
I am envious of that innocent desire she has. She is not self-conscious about it, she is not distracted and half listening to His voice, she just sings the best she can while her mommy is holding her. And learning from her. And loving her. And thanking God for her. And worshipping.
For the second Sunday in a row, Elliott has been kicked out of the nursery. Okay, not really kicked out, but politely asked to leave because she won't stop screaming and crying. Super.
So I pick her up last Sunday and head back into church. We're standing to sing so I just hold her and as we're standing there worshipping, she starts singing. Of course, she doesn't know the words (or any words for that matter), but in her little voice she is singing. And when the music stops, she stops. I thought this was just a coincidence the first time, but it's happened both Sundays.
And this Sunday it gave me chills. Because it's like she knows when to sing and when to stop. She's worshipping. My little one year old baby has something in her that's telling her to praise Him.
Listening to her sing makes Luke 19:40 come alive for me. We are made to worship. We are made to praise our Creator. And my little child whom I love more than life itself gets it. She probably has a better understanding of the need and desire to worship than the majority of adults. How pure and simple.
I am envious of that innocent desire she has. She is not self-conscious about it, she is not distracted and half listening to His voice, she just sings the best she can while her mommy is holding her. And learning from her. And loving her. And thanking God for her. And worshipping.
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