I probably have as much experience as anybody at
being the “new kid.” I changed schools
seven times from first grade to high school.
Seriously. And it wasn’t all that
much fun. Being the new kid gets old
pretty fast. At best, you get a couple
of days of sympathy from a teacher, and then – you’re on your own. Along the way I developed some skills at
adapting, so that has served me well through the years. Still, it is never, ever fun to be the new
kid. Even when you’re a grown up.
So, I teach Fifth Grade Sunday school. I have done that for many years and, as a
result, my Sunday school friends are ten years old. I am technically a member of an adult class,
but I don’t attend because I’m always teaching kids. Here comes the dilemma.
I was invited to the Christmas party for my adult
class – the one I don’t attend and – for the most part – don’t know the people
in the class. But, I wanted to go. I wanted to meet those folks. I wanted to be a part of them. And, I thought it would be a good way to ease
into it. After all, it was a Christmas
party at night and how many people would actually show up? TWENTY-FIVE!! That’s how many – twenty-five – when I was
expecting something like TEN. Quite a
surprise. It turns out that these ladies
really enjoy spending time with one another.
And there I was – the new kid all over again.
But something was different this time. I got pulled right in. I was welcomed at the front door and it never
let up! I participated – I even got
asked to read out loud. Imagine that –
the new kid getting a speaking part on her first day! It was kind of a Christmas miracle on a small
scale – after I stepped inside, I never
once felt like the new kid! I’m even
in the pictures. I played the Christmas
gift game and got confused like everyone else – I ended up with two gifts
at one point when everyone should have had one.
It didn’t matter. It was fun and
funny.
Now, here comes the advertisement. Ladies, if you need a place to feel welcome
and accepted and loved, I HIGHLY recommend the Kendrick Sunday School
Class. Nobody cares how old you are –
you can be a grandmother and bring your granddaughter; you can be the mother of
young children or the grandmother of grown children. You can just be you – in fact, it is highly
encouraged.
So, here’s a message to my fellow party-goers:
thanks for a wonderful time. I had so
much fun and I greatly appreciate being included, new kid jitters and all. Y’all are the best!
Therefore
welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:17
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