A conference I attended for educational administrators last year fell on Leap Day–February 29.
In celebration, every table came decorated with a dozen or so little toy frogs. I picked one up and realized it was squishable. When I gave him a quick squeeze, my new little friend said, “squeak, squeak.” Very cool!
After the two-day meeting, I decided to provide a home for one of the squeaky frogs. Okay, I may have adopted three or four. I planned to use them as pocket fidgets, something to keep me busy when I had nothing to do but look at my phone.
The next week I’m back at school, when a call comes for assistance. A five-year-old student is lying in the main hallway, kicking and screaming and refusing to be consoled. I remembered an earlier training with a crisis interventionist who keeps a little rubber ball in her pocket, to distract and calm upset children.
“If only I had something like that…” I thought.
“Wait, I have Squeaky in my pocket!”
I arrived on the scene, and quickly asked the teacher’s assistant and school counselor to step back. It sounds more heroic in print than it really was. But I digress.
Anyway, I reached into my pocket for Squeaky, knelt by the child, who was no longer kicking and now only whimpering, and made the little frog go “squeak, squeak”—with him hidden in my hand. Immediately the kid gave me his full attention!
I opened to reveal my little friend and improvised a greeting: “Squeaky offers you his assistance.” The child reached for the frog, so I slowly stood up and started walking, beckoning him to follow. He did! We walked back to his classroom together, while he made Squeaky talk over and over. The two of them sure seemed to be hitting it off!
I got my little frog back, at the student’s classroom door, and he’s been in my pocket every school day since. Now, kids who aren’t emotionally dysregulated stop and ask to see Squeaky and give him a squeeze. I comply, of course; my small green friend is like relational super glue! Furthermore, he’s still successfully helping upset kids calm down. About eight times out of ten, they stop, listen, and reach for him, accepting his assistance.
If you, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.
Jesus–Luke 11:13 (NIV)
Kind reader, my green frog friend reminds me of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. When we can’t quite help ourselves, God offers us His spiritual assistance. He’s always there–whether we need a wee bit, or a whole lot of support.
Thank you for reading and watching. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.
Davids Daily Dose 
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