Perfect Timing

“Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday,” I sang to my class of 3- and 4-year olds.  “Now, what day of the week is today?” I asked with exaggerated expression.  I tried to imagine as much light as possible in my encouraging smile as I willed them to say “Friday!”  It was still very early in the year and I wasn’t sure if… WAIT.  Was that??

Jerked out of my sunshine state, I heard a child crying next door and just knew.  Applying a makeup smile, I said, “Let’s sing it, again: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday…” and wandered to the door open between the preschool and kindergarten rooms.  I peeked over and there was my baby bear in tears sitting at a table with her teacher hovering.  My heart jumped, then tightened in my chest.  I walked quickly back to my calendar, “Focus, focus, focus!” I shouted at myself and finished the song with the kids.

“Friday!” they answered triumphantly, but I barely heard them as the tenor of the cry next door became more pathetic and heartbreaking.

I would discover later that my academically equal, but physically behind 4-year-old was faced with a fine motor skill that her classmates handled but she could not.  Frustrated and embarrassed, she was having what would prove to be the biggest emotional meltdown of her little life and although I was there, I couldn’t be there for her. 

It was a pivotal moment that led to our decision to pull her from kindergarten and let her body catch up to other 5-year-olds and start her next year when her age really dictates it, anyway.  Being so smart, we tried to start her early, thinking that intelligence equaled readiness.  Nope.  Guess not!

My timing was a very big OOPS in this instance, at the least confusing for Kaydee and her schoolmates and at the worst, scarring her for life.  Oh my.  And don’t we as parents worry about that?  That our mistakes will someday provide the fodder for multiple couch sessions for our children?

I am so thankful I have a Heavenly parent whose timing is perfect!  Whether or not I understand it at the time, He knows what He is doing and will work everything for my benefit.  If only I would more completely tune into and trust Him for ordering my life!  Praise God!

~~~~~

Pondering Points

Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Isaiah 40:31
Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. 

Lamentations 3:22-24

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.   I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

1 Peter 5:6-7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

2 Peter 3:8-9

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.