That time I was visited by a traveling team of six-year-old professors

Silly me, I thought I had a lot to show our newest first graders. I thought a short little field trip to my office before Sunday school started might be just the thing to put them at ease, to help them get more comfortable with hanging out with me before I officially rolled out the welcome mat to them during worship, calling their names in front of everyone and giving them cross necklaces and leading the church in the celebration that they were part of our family in the pews.

And why wouldn’t they feel comfortable? I planned on doing most of the talking. I’d show them the wind up toys I keep for kids to play with when they visit and the mailbox I hung by my door especially for them to use, to send me notes and crayon drawings, too, if I’m lucky enough. I’d teach them how to find my little hideaway office by themselves and show them where I kept the candy jar for an after-worship treat. I’d teach how to twist the little paddle on my desk to feed my wooden chickens, and I’d show them the photos of each of them that I pinned to my bulletin board so that I could enjoy their faces and send prayers on their behalf.

Show them, teach them. Teach them, show them.