God's Path, Not Mine

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

-Albert Einstein

Since I was in the 8th grade I knew I wanted to study Psychology. My first adventure into the knowledge and understanding of this study of the mind was in order to help others as a counselor.

The more I studied, independently, the more I was fascinated by the different disorders. I became almost obsessed with the idea of research and diagnosing. I left behind my dreams of counseling high schoolers and began pursuing a career in research or analysis. That was, until this beautiful fall semester in 2013.

I worked the summer after my freshman year of college as an intern for Bethlehem Baptist Children's Ministry. It was stressful but more rewarding than any job I have ever had! Those children, even the strong willed ones, touched my heart in a way I never knew was possible. I ignored the love I gained for children and kept in my head that I was no counselor but a researcher.  Yet I thought back to those moments in the classroom with the kids so often. I pictured their glowing faces, heard their giggles, and remembered the mind blowing questions they would ask me about God and Heaven. They looked up to me and honestly I kind of looked up to them for their innocence.

Like I said, I was a researcher. Psychologists in research aren't allowed to have feelings or emotions like that. When it comes down to doing experiments anything goes. (Of course we have a standard of ethics to abide by but) I had to keep my head on straight and go the way I thought I wanted.

Notice the problem there?

"the way I wanted." ----> I, not God.

The more I thought my head was on straight the more God pulled me back to show me it wasn't. 

I am currently in a Human Growth & Development class. We are finishing up the first few hours after birth in lecture. But I've read on and I take incredibly good notes. I didn't think this class would have any effect on me because of how simple it is. But the more I study children in development the more I remember my days as an intern in Children's Ministry. Then I fall in love with the idea of helping childern.

When I was in elementary school I remember clearly the most incredible school counselor I have ever known. Her name was Nancy. I will never as long as I live forget the day my friend invited me to have lunch with her in the counselor's office. I knew how wonderful that room with the comfy couch was and I knew the comforting smile that would be there to greet us. My friend and I laughed, joked, ate our lunch, and simply had the most wonderful time. Honestly that is my best memory from elementary school. That lunch in the counselors office. 

Thinking back to that memory and realizing how fragile this developmental stage is for children made me consider a career path that I have never in my wildest dreams imagined myself doing... becoming a counselor for the elementary school age.

The quote above reminds me everyday how fragile those little minds are. Children are teased, minds twisted, egos formed, and I want to be there as a nurturer to help guide them on a path that will benefit them and strengthen them. Not to harm them but to comfort. 

With God's hand on me, my eyes on the Word, and my heart for God's little children I know I could really help a lot of children. Like my elementary school counselor helped me by that one short lunch in her office. Maybe I could touch the lives of some child with a simple "Open Door Policy". 

Remember that every heart is fragile and every brain is always soaking up what the environment dishes out. Once you think on this maybe we will all begin to treat others differently.