Today I worked at CCA in the 2nd grade class; who knew they had SO much energy! I had a great time and I realized that they are so oblivious to so many things around them and yet their lives are so consumed with things that should not be for their age group.
While listening to some of their conversations, I was shocked at what some of them were talking about. So many of them are consumed with what they see on TV or in the movies, they don't realize that God has more in store for their lives.
Watching them play at the park, I saw them act their age...swinging, playing tag, climbing on the monkey bars; kid things. It wasn't until we were walking back to the school that some of the conversations turned back to things that no 8 year old should be thinking about; girlfriends, boyfriends, kissing and the like. I would LOVE to know what happened to days when an 8 year old only had to worry about getting chosen for kickball or getting a new Barbie or Matchbox car. Now the focus is on the outfits that one wears, the kinds of shoes one owns, the latest trends; stuff that is meaningless.
At least some things are still the same as when I was a kid; the girls were "grossed" out that the boys were going to be walking to the fountain without their shirts on. If only they would still think that for a few more years, that would be nice.
I did have an interesting conversation with my 1st graders though; it's crazy that they're getting so old now...not the little Kindergarteners that I used to know. I was sitting with them at lunch when three of the girls asked me a question that they've asked me many, many times before; 'Do you have a boyfriend?' This question has been answered every time with the same answer and this time was no different, I responded with,'No, I don't have a boyfriend.'
When this conversation comes up it's always interesting to hear what reasons the kids have for why I should or should not have a boyfriend. Well today, because P brought me a frappe that my mom had bought for me, M decided to ask if he was my boyfriend. To which I had to go on and explain that he wasn't and not only was he too young for me, but I was sure that he liked someone else. M asked me if I wanted to have a boyfriend and while there were so many things going on in my head when she asked that question, I've made it a point to not lie to my kids, so I told her the truth; yes, if that's what God wants for me, but he needs to love Jesus. To which she replied, 'Well, then I'll pray that he loves Jesus, cause that's the most important thing.'
It seems like when I get frustrated with the way that society is forcing itself on our kids, there's always a moment when a child doesn't act like the way society is telling them to act and says or does something that God wants them to do; something that is selfless and puts the needs of others first, something that we should have more of in our world, something that would please God.
That's one of the best things about working with children, you see the good, the bad and the ugly, but you also get to see amazing and wonderful things happen in their lives; if you're blessed enough, you'll get to be a part of that something amazing and wonderful. I know I am. :)

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