One of my favorite things about being in elementary education is the enlightening conversations I have with children. For instance, the other day I met a talkative preschooler, who was waiting in the school office to be picked up by his mother. I sat down and introduced myself, and then asked the little guy his name.
“My name is John: J-o-h-n,” he said, spelling it out for me. “It’s nice to meet you, John,” I said with a smile.”
Next, I asked a question I often pose to young children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I expected him to tell me he wanted to be a firefighter, or an astronaut, and then I was going to tell him that I wanted to be a pilot when I was his age. But that’s not how the conversation went. Instead, without hesitating, he said this:
I just want to be myself when I grow up.
John, five-year-old philosopher
Intriguing! I ask a five-year-old what he wants to do when he grows up and he tells me who he wants to be. Apparently, John hasn’t met any one (yet) who says he can’t or shouldn’t be who he is.
For what it’s worth, I call this particular view of existence, “Thrive like You’re Five,” because it seems that the real you and me is the person we were as a young child–before we learned to hide. (Minus the self-centered temper tantrums, of course.)
Speaking to the idea of being, rather than doing, who we are, the wee lad John’s comment brought to mind the story of a hero from the Bible named Joseph. Here was a young man who found favor with God, in spite of his circumstances. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, who told his dad he was dead, Joseph prospered–no matter what role he filled. Whatever he did–from prison to palace–God was with him and helped him succeed. The Lord’s favor followed him, because of who he was.
And God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him, to those who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
This scripture verse, together with the young boy’s quote and the Bible story of Joseph, makes me think of a bowl of alphabet soup.
The letters are all mixed up, yet the Lord can rearrange them to spell words and then make sentences to write a successful life story. And, if things aren’t going so well, He can scramble them up again and rewrite another tale that’s just as good or better. I know this is true, because it’s happened to me three times–over the past forty years.
I have been young, and now I am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.
Psalm 37:25 (NKJV)
Kind reader, King David was right! And regular David (Me) stopped by today to remind you that God is still God–wherever you are. His favor will find you!
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.
The Stigma Stops Here.🛑
#mentalhealthmatters
Davids Daily Dose 
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