Children

Today, I was in a room full of hundreds of children. 

Those kids behind me in the blue baseball shirts? Those are my kids. My fourth graders who have been working so hard over the past year to get ready for one event, today's Math Super Bowl. 

As I was walking around this giant room full of brains hard at work, I couldn't stop thinking about two things. 

One: how much this reminded me of AP testing. 

Man, glad that's over with!

And two: I could not stop praying for these kids. 

And not just the ones that I have come to know, but all of them. I couldn't help but wonder what their mornings had been like today. I'm sure most were filled with happiness, excitement, and joy as their parents told them how proud they were of their achievement for just getting invited to the Math Super Bowl. 

I'm sure some were filled with laughter with their siblings, and kisses goodbye before school. 

But it breaks my heart to know that some weren't like that. And today, I prayed for those kids. 

Today, I prayed that all of these children would come to know their incredible worth in Christ. That they would know that regardless of how their school placed in this competition, regardless of how pretty they felt that day, or regardless of the last time they heard the words "I love you,"

they are loved. 

I prayed that the Holy Spirit would come into this room full of 4th, 5th and 6th graders, and fill these hearts with 
so. much. love. 

And on that note, I hope you know how loved you are today.