(Photo of my little pirates last year.)

Working with children has blessed me, but there are times when I wondered if anything got through to those little ones.  Teaching drama to K-4 children each week was a challenge  The chaos, the after school energy needing to be spent, the attention span of a gnat – all led to an interesting hour.

They argued among themselves, they forgot lines and cues, missed entrances and were disconnected from the task at hand. I’ve learned over time, you don’t always see immediate results.  Sometimes it takes many years.  Other times, they get it right away and maybe they never get it.

It was perfectly understandable. When you’ve packed your brain with information, taking tests, math, language skills, history and perfecting social skills, your poor little mind is on overload.

However, the joy of the process is not in perfection, but in growth.  As parents we often expect immediate results.  We expect good behavior without setting good examples.  We expect them to clean their rooms without showing them how.  We want perfect little people, but forget they aren’t.  None of us is perfect.

For most, parenting is a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants experience.  You take things as they come and do your best.  In doing so, your children will eventually find a steady course and so will you.

There were days when I felt like I was talking to myself, teaching above their heads, giving them more than they could digest, but there were  days when one they got it.  When they had their backs to the audience and were reminded of my words – pretend you have a hole in your pants – and quickly turned around.  With a one word prompt they would spit out an entire line. They loved the audience response and enjoyed the finished product and once in a while, they actually learned something.

We’re laying the ground work for what our children will become.  The lessons they learn during this time will shape them. You may think you’re not getting through, but someday will be pleasantly surprised.

I’ve often been referred to as a saint (not hardly.) You might think I’m weird to be such a glutton for punishment.  I like to think of it as watching children grow into responsible young adults. Don’t underestimate the things you’re teaching them even when they are young and definitely don’t underestimate the power of prayer!