It was the spring of 2002. My sweet baby girl, Emily was laying on the changing table in her room as I dialed the number. I had a very important call to make. My hands were shaking just a bit as I picked out the numbers and heard the phone ring.
In an unforeseen turn of events, I had decided to complete my Kindermusik Instructor Certification in the months just after she was born. To finish up the application process, I had to complete a telephone interview with my instructor before I could proceed with the class work. Part of the phone call involved me singing three Kindermusik songs of her choice from the curriculum.
As she answered my call, far away in North Carolina, I tried to breathe deeply and answer her questions. I had practiced each of the songs and was prepared. or so I thought. Emily, only three months old, was happily laying on the changing table and I gently rubbed her tummy hoping she would be content for the duration of the conversation.
My professor requested the first song. As I began to sing out the first tune, so did Emily. The louder I tried to sing, the louder Emily cooed along. I couldn’t help but start to giggle, but so did the teacher, who could hear Emily’s singing just as loud as mine. It was a true testament to the value of music in a child’s early development. I had been practicing these songs, and apparently Emily had too.
Over the next few months, I prepared to teach several classes, one of which used a children’s song called, “Milk and Cookies.” To this day, it is still one of our favorites. I can still hear my sweet girl’s tiny little voice singing along:
Milk and cookies, milk and cookies, yummy in my tummy.
Milk and cookies milk and cookies, yummy in my tummy.
Together she and I had learned all of the Kindermusik songs I taught – and she accompanied me to a lot of the classes. It was an intense program to be certified and teach for… I enjoyed it so much, but it was difficult.
How little did I know it would be a part of my future…
Not long ago, Michael and I agreed that I should assist in tutoring a class for Classical Conversations, a home school educational setting, here in Chattanooga. When I attended the Practicum for my training, I thought I should be nervous. I was sure I’d be completely overwhelmed.
But, I wasn’t.
On the third and final morning of the training, while I was still at home getting ready, I found myself talking with my Heavenly Father, asking Him to help me be in the right frame of mind.
“Am I being arrogant? Because, You know how I can be sometimes. This is so much information, why am I not scared out of my mind? Can You help me think all of this through? Please, I humbly ask that you work in my mind and my heart so that I don’t mess this up. ”
He brought a peace that I don’t understand, it was an unusual calm for my heart… and He said to me, “Don’t you know that I’ve prepared You? I have brought you a long way, on this path, to prepare you for these moments. You have been obedient. No need to be afraid or unsure. Just the way you learned hundreds of songs and poems like, “Milk and Cookies,” in such a short amount of time, you will learn all that is required now. It is all a part of the plan… My plan”
Proverbs 3:1-6 is how He spoke to me:
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
All wisdom is from God. As I proceed on His path, everything needed for the journey will be provided. Whether it is strength for understanding, grace for a deeper perspective, breadth for more knowledge and the ability to peacefully accept it all – He will give wisdom when I follow His will. He has promised. And I’m realizing it is true.
daily portion 