24 sixth-graders, sitting in a circle, converse, laugh, and engage with each other while waiting for a class to begin. JK sits quietly alone and among them, plugging his nose and mouth as if preparing to plunge into a pool to cleanse himself. Does he think he stinks?
The teacher asks the whole group to break off into pairs, KJ with Adrian. Things improve. She smiles and engages with the one who thinks he stinks. For five minutes now, there’s a classmate, partner, or friend. The stink is gone, replaced with a wonderfully infectious grin.
The teacher changes learning styles again. (Why?) She puts the entire class back into the original circle. (Why!?) Quietly alone again, sitting among them is JK, plugging his nose and mouth as if preparing to plunge into a smelly pool. I pray for KJ while talking to God in heaven.
Don’t worry KJ I won’t let you jump. I’ve stopped you before and I will do it again because God ordained us to be together. For Jesus said:
Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s Kingdom. What’s more, when you receive this childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me.
Matthew 18:5 (MSG)
All for the King,
and some for KJ, too.