Remembering 1983

The other morning I was sitting with The Lord….I had been praying about some things on my mind and then I was sitting and listening and just being in the presence of The Lord.  And for some reason, I started picturing my Kindergarten Sunday School class.  Earlier in the week someone on Facebook posted a picture of my old church where I went in elementary school, Bayvale Baptist Church in Augusta, GA.  I had thought of Mrs. Dorn then, but for some reason here I was with the Lord bringing it to mind in my prayer time.

I pictured the short hallway and the doorway to the room.  It was a large room.  I remember the kitchen play area.  I loved it over there.  Pretend refrigerator, stove, mixer, table and play food.  I remember vividly the art area where we would put on aprons and stand in front of a huge (to me as a Kindergartener) easel with paints galore.  These weren’t referred to as “stations,” as they are today.  This was just how she had the room set up because she knew and loved little children.

One Sunday she had an overhead in the room and used it to project our face outline on the wall.  Then, she traced our faces and cut them out on black paper so we each had a silhouette of ourselves.  No doubt she told us how very special we were to be made in the image of God.

Such absolutely precious memories.  I believe the year was 1983. I can see myself as if I am there right now sitting in the small wooden chairs that were arranged in a semi-circle for Bible Time.  Short curly hair, wearing a blue sun dress with a red anchor stitched on the skirt. White fold down frilly socks with patent leather shoes that buckled. And Mrs. Dorn front and center, sitting with her Bible and felt board to the side.

But even more than the room and the things in the room, I remember Mrs. Dorn.  She had a such a warm, loving smile.  Always.  A soft, kind voice. She is a little bent over in my mind because I am sure she was usually leaning down to be closer to the little kids that were in her class.  But her loving, caring, kind demeanor is what rises to the top.  As an adult I now know that she invested much of her time into the kids who came into her class.  Only the Lord knows what all was going on in that child’s home or the needs that child had that Mrs. Dorn met with the love of God flowing through her.

I am so grateful for Mrs. Dorn and many other loving, caring Sunday School teachers that the Lord has allowed to be in my life.  I got saved around this same time…I knew Jesus loved me and died for my sins.  I knew I needed Him.  I am confident Mrs. Dorn helped teach me that Truth, week after week.  Hug after hug.  Smile after smile.

PSALM 77: 13-14

“I shall remember the deeds of The Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of  old.  I will meditate on all Your work and muse on all Your deeds.  Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples.  You have by Your power redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.”