Last semester, I spent some time at a local elementary school for some field experience for one of my education classes. It was absolutely wonderful. It was absolutely exhausting. It was by-far one of the most eye-opening experiences in the most unexpected way.
I have the utmost respect for kindergarten teachers and all the work they do to make sure those sweet kiddies are ready for the next level and nurturing their creativity. The thing I admire about kindergarteners is their outlook on life. A stick becomes a magic wand. Some blocks become a giant tower or a wonderful castle for a beautiful princess and a mighty prince. Hide and seek can turn into a magical quest for a cause unknown. The thing I love the most about kindergarteners is that when they look at you, they don't see what grown-ups see. They don't see how crazy you hair looks today or the dark circles under your eyes. They don't see the giant pimple on your forehead or the way your face turns red when you're asked a question you don't know the answer to. They don't notice those things because it's not important to them. They see what truly matters. They see your heart. In just a few days, I had been told countless times by those sweet, little faces that I am beautiful and given countless hugs that mean so much to me. When that beautiful little girl looked up at me said, "Wow, you're beautiful," I don't think she was talking about my appearance but my heart. She could see that I was there to learn about how to be a good teacher, hang out with some of the coolest kids around, and pass out hugs and encouragement. From the eyes of a kindergartener, the world is a big, limitless, and beautifully frightening place to be conquered. From the eyes of a kindergartener, people are naturally kind and have good hearts. From the eyes of a kindergartener, the heart is what matters most. To those kindergarteners, it didn't matter whether or not I need to lose a few pounds or I care too much what other people think about me. It didn't matter that I was absolutely exhausted and not in the best mood in the world. It mattered that I was genuine with them and I truly loved them. So I propose that we try to see the world from the eyes of a kindergartener. I propose that we don't automatically look at someone's appearance and make a judgement about them. I propose that we but on our X-ray glasses and look straight to the heart. I propose that we view the world from the eyes of Kindergartener. I propose that we still look at the world as big, limitless, and ready to be conquered. Because from the eyes of a kindergartener, the heart is the most important thing and what is most visible. It doesn't matter if you face is broken out, your hair is crazy today, you were running late, and you're ill as all get-out. You are beautiful because you have so much love to give and you are kind to strangers. You are beautiful because you are humble and love to learn new things. You are beautiful because you are you.
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Happy New Year, y'all! If you're like me, you're probably sitting here wondering where in the world did 2014 go?! I have absolutely NO idea! Everyone keeps telling me that time flies even faster when you're older. I'm not so sure I'm ready for all that. I want to start this post by thanking you all for your wonderful support throughout the years and throughout the past year, especially. The blog has had quite a few changes (for the better!) and there will be some other exciting things coming up soon! Thank you all so much for your support in reading the blog, the love letters, and #letsbebrave! Things are so much more interesting when God is in the driver's seat and I'm looking forward to seeing where God is going to take this little corner of the internet in 2015! Internet hugs to you all!! Many people have asked me about the name of my blog and where exactly it comes from and what it means. The story of where it comes from is really really underwhelming but the meaning, to me, is so incredibly powerful. Where the name comes from: It was a few months ago and I was on Pinterest (surprise!) and I stumbled upon a little pin that had the words "And if not, He is still good." At first I thought, "That's nice, I'll pin it" and for a few days afterward the phrase kept popping up in my mind and in my life. So I actually began to ponder what that phrase actually meant. I wish I had written it down in my journal the first time but I did eventually write it down last month. The meaning behind the name: For me, it means that I am learning to trust God explicitly, completely, and in the most radically outrageous way. In my journal, I wrote down a few of my hopes and dreams: I want to get married. I want to have a family. I want to adopt. I want a 4.0 GPA. I want a good job at a good school. I want to be the best teacher EVER. All of them, entirely selfish, of course but then I thought "What if God doesn't give me these things?" I mean, it is something that I need to seriously consider. Am I going to be mad at God if He doesn't provide a husband? How will I react if I can't have a family of my own? What if I don't get my dream job at a good school? What IF? Then, I went back to each item: I want to get married- but if not, He is still good. I want to have a family- but if not, He is still good. I want to adopt- but if not, He is still good. I want a 4.0 GPA- but if not, He is still good. I want a good job at a good school- but if not, He is still good. I want to be the best teacher EVER- but if not, He is still good. Ouch. Am I willing to sacrifice all of those things for the will of God? Six years ago, I would have adamantly said "NO." Three years ago, I would have reluctantly say, "Yes." I wish I could honestly say that 100% of the time I would say, "Absolutely! Yes!" But that would be lying. I can, without a doubt, say this: I want to serve Him all of my days- He will provide and He is good. I want my heart to line up with His will- He is faithful and just to forgive me when I act like the crazy human I am. I want to follow Him wherever He may lead me- He will equip me and I will never be alone. The will of God is perfect and good. If I don't get what I want or desire in life then I know it is for the better because nothing in God's will is for my harm but for my good. "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer." 1 Timothy 4:4-5; NIV One of my favorite artists in the entire universe is Kari Jobe and one of my favorite songs from her new album, Majestic, is "Always Enough." (If you haven't heard the album, go buy it now! I promise, you won't regret it!) The bridge of the song says, "If I have You, I have everything but without You, I have nothing." This is the cry of my heart. I will find my life in You. You're always enough, always enough. |
Allison MozingoI am currently a teacher and life-long student of Scripture learning more about life and Jesus's marvelous love and boundless grace. Archives
December 2019
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