The New Kid

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