I woke up this morning with a feeling of anticipation and expectancy, “I wonder what will happen today for me to write about.”
I was not disappointed. God was prepared!
One of my other volunteer gigs is as a Read Aloud Volunteer in Berkeley County Public Schools.
My grown sons will tell you that I love to read aloud.
Reading aloud to them is one of our keepsake memories. From the time they were little up until they were in high school, I read to them. Sometimes on the steps leading into the interior of our home, sometimes at the breakfast table, sometimes at bedtime—age appropriate fiction or nonfiction, devotionals, and even books about relationships (as they got older)—we did a lot of reading.
I know my father will appreciate this post because as a child I did NOT like to read and he frequently “nagged” me to do so. He is a voracious reader and probably couldn’t understand why he had a daughter that was not—I’m sure he was worried as well.
That all changed for me when in seventh grade I read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I could not put it down! It was and still is a favorite book. Later my father got me hooked on historical fiction with a set of westerns known as the Wagons West Series by Dana Fuller Ross.
As a teacher, I did read-alouds in my classroom, even when I taught Science; so, when I saw this opportunity on social media searching for volunteers, I jumped at the chance. This activity also gave me additional time to spend with my 8-year-old granddaughter in her third-grade classroom.
Today was my last weekly visit. When I finished, each student brought me a hand-made thank you note which was unexpected and joyfully received. Before leaving the parking lot, I read them all.
I was deeply touched by their sincere wishes of thanks, but one in particular was especially inspirational. The following is as she wrote it:
Dear – reader
Thank you for comeing here and to respect our school. We will all miss you and dont forget that we will always be with you. Your the best reader in the world
Did you see it?
“dont forget that we will always be with you.”
Isn’t that amazing? Because it is so true!
I wonder if Jesus had this in mind when he sent out his disciples two by two to “proclaim the kingdom of God.” I wonder if this how the disciples felt when they returned “with joy.”
The gospel of Matthew ends with Jesus saying, “And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.”
So, go forth, extend your heart and let others “always be with you.” You won’t regret it!
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