School has been in session now for over a month. When I see postings of the activities going on at different schools, I'm reminded of my first day of school.
There was no kindergarten so first grade awaited this six year old.. There was no "Meet the Teacher" or Open House before school started like there is today. I had no idea who my teacher would be or where my classroom was. And even though we only had half day classes because of the number of children, all I knew is my mo...ther wasn't going to be there so I was not a happy camper.
There was no kindergarten so first grade awaited this six year old.. There was no "Meet the Teacher" or Open House before school started like there is today. I had no idea who my teacher would be or where my classroom was. And even though we only had half day classes because of the number of children, all I knew is my mo...ther wasn't going to be there so I was not a happy camper.
Conveniently, I think, my soft hearted daddy had to go to work early. My mother didn't drive so our neighbor , Mr. O., would be taking me. I can still see him now, pulling into our driveway while I stood hanging onto my mother's apron for dear life. After much carjoling, I was finally seated in his red pickup and off we went. I remember looking through the back glass and seeing my mother wave. That's when the tears began to flow.
Arriving at school, I refused to get out. Instead, my tears turned to bawling. Poor Mr. O. didn't want to forcibly carry me to the school, so he turned the pick up around and headed back to my house. Two trips later after hearing from my mother that staying home was not an option but a paddling was, I found myself in a classroom of kids my age, most of whom I didn't know.
After the tornado in 1942 that blew away most of the school buildings here, old CCC buildings were moved from just behind Berryville Ford and to the east of the elementary school, to a location just southwest of what is now known as the Old Rock Gym on the grounds of BHS high school. My first grade classroom was in one of those old buildings. There was an old pot bellied stove in the middle of the classroom that kept us warm during the cold winters. However, on that September day in 1946 , it would not have mattered if we had been meeting in the governor's mansion; not mattered that Mrs. Roberts was a kind teacher ; not mattered that I knew one or two of the kids, I was afraid and I wanted the security of my mother and home.
Our Lord wants us to enjoy life on the earth that He prepared for us. However, our true happiness and security is in Him. He wants us to be prepared for our Heavenly Home when our life on this earth is complete. And, just as my mother was waiting for me with open arms when I returned from school that first day, our Heavenly Father is waiting with open arms so that we who are Believers can live with Him forever.
"There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." John 14: 2-3 NLT
Arriving at school, I refused to get out. Instead, my tears turned to bawling. Poor Mr. O. didn't want to forcibly carry me to the school, so he turned the pick up around and headed back to my house. Two trips later after hearing from my mother that staying home was not an option but a paddling was, I found myself in a classroom of kids my age, most of whom I didn't know.
After the tornado in 1942 that blew away most of the school buildings here, old CCC buildings were moved from just behind Berryville Ford and to the east of the elementary school, to a location just southwest of what is now known as the Old Rock Gym on the grounds of BHS high school. My first grade classroom was in one of those old buildings. There was an old pot bellied stove in the middle of the classroom that kept us warm during the cold winters. However, on that September day in 1946 , it would not have mattered if we had been meeting in the governor's mansion; not mattered that Mrs. Roberts was a kind teacher ; not mattered that I knew one or two of the kids, I was afraid and I wanted the security of my mother and home.
Our Lord wants us to enjoy life on the earth that He prepared for us. However, our true happiness and security is in Him. He wants us to be prepared for our Heavenly Home when our life on this earth is complete. And, just as my mother was waiting for me with open arms when I returned from school that first day, our Heavenly Father is waiting with open arms so that we who are Believers can live with Him forever.
"There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." John 14: 2-3 NLT
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