World Peace And Lessons From First Grade
Our world needs peace. Here are lessons from first grade we all should remember. These lessons are best said in the Bible
You may not know this about me, I am a news hound! World events fascinate me. I think I could probably run the world so much better than most of today’s leaders. It’s simple really. I know this because I was a first grade teacher. Believe me, if you can teach first grade you probably can do almost anything!!!! Before a leader wants to step onto the world’s stage they should have to repeat first grade, at least once!
There are lots of things we learn in first grade that would be extremely useful to them. I think most of them have forgotten these elemental things. Like getting along with others, and always telling the whole truth and sharing and waiting your turn and not being dishonest and following the rules and being part of the group and managing anger and not being selfish and all the consequences of not following the rules.
And all this goes on while first graders are learning things like reading and math and all sorts of first grade academic thing!
When people would ask, “What do you do (as in for a living)”? I would reply, “I work where 25 people love me all day long!”
In first grade, there is no reason to cry. Did you know that? In first grade, we can fix almost anything! If a little one would come to me teary eyed I would say, “Don’t worry, we can fix that together and you will be fine by the time you get married!”
In first grade, you want to be part of the group. In first grade, you should feel safe. In first grade, if you mess up you get another chance to make it right and get cheered on while doing that! In first grade, you are loved. Or at least you should be!
The flip side is, that in first grade, you are not allowed to hurt anyone. In first grade, if you throw your crayons or toy or books they are taken away from you so you won’t hurt yourself or others. In first grade, you may not say bad things to another person. In first grade, if you are mean you must sit outside the group until you feel better about things and can control yourself. Then you are received back in with open arms and probably a hug!
In first grade, if you brake the rules, the punishment was swift and appropriate and then discussed, in that order. And after, you have a chance to make things right (with a caring teacher’s help). And THEN were allowed back into the group.
In first grade, you experience the wonder of learning and succeeding to your best ability and how to navigate in a world that does not revolve around you.
First grade can be messy and loud and disorganized just like life. But in first grade, you begin to learn how to process out the “noise” and stay on track.
There are a whole lot of life lessons in first grade!
First grade reminds me of a wonderful verse in the bible…
IF IT IS POSSIBLE, AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE Romans 12:18
This is a great lesson for first graders and for world leaders and everyone in between!
The word peace in the Bible verse above is SHALOM. It’s the idea of being “whole”. Nothing missing. The idea of being perfect and stable and filled up in every aspect of your life. Physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, relationally, and on and on.
It’s the idea of living in the security of wholeness and well-being. God tells us that we are to strive for a life that lives out wellness and wholeness. God and only GOD can give us that kind of peace.
Shalom peace is a gift from God so that we can live at peace with everyone.
Here’s what else Romans 12 has to say about living a life of peace with those around us…
BLESS THOSE WHO BLESS YOU, BLESS AND DO NOT CURSE. REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE, WEEP WITH THOSE WHO WEEP.
BE OF THE SAME MIND AS ONE ANOTHER, DO NOT BE HAUGHTY IN MIND, BUT ASSOCIATE WITH THE LOWLY. DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN ESTIMATION.
NEVER PAY BACK EVIL FOR EVIL TO ANYONE. RESPECT WHAT IS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF ALL MEN. IF POSSIBLE AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE AT PEACE WITH ALL MEN.
NEVER TAKE YOUR OWN REVENGE, BELOVED, BUT LEAVE ROOM FOR THE WRATH OF GOD. FOR IT IS WRITTEN, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY”, SAYS THE LORD.
The nuggets of these Words of truth are lessons I taught in first grade! Too bad I could not read them straight out of the bible! We needed the Bible then and even more now!
Yes, repeating first grade might be not only good for our leaders but for many of us too!
Too bad we can’t go back to first grade.
But God has wonderful rudimentary Truths He wants us to learn. His word, the Bible, is filled to overflowing with them! Lessons that will help us in our journey through life. Lessons when read and learned and applied to our lives will give us the PEACE we all need and want!
Maybe our leaders don’t have to go back to first grade. Maybe they just need to read and learn the Bible!
Today there will be no commenting. This is not a political post, but one to turn our lives back to the only true God and His Word filled with wisdom. Thanks for understanding!