I wish every child could have just one Mrs. Belinda in his life.
Ezra had her throughout the fourth grade on Sunday mornings for Bible class. Her classroom happened to be just inside, and to the left of the door through which we enter the building every Sunday morning. Mrs. Belinda was always there working in her classroom prior to worship. And she was always smiling. She found out what each child’s favorite food or dessert was, and, when it was that child’s birthday, she made sure that child had that treat. Once during the year, she had the entire class (and it was a big class) stay at the building with her for the entire afternoon. She had games planned and a whole buffet of pizza, cookie, cakes, chips and drinks. No parents. Just kids.
There’s no hoopla or announcement about any of this. You can’t find pictures of Mrs. Belinda and many people don’t know about this phenomenon at the end of the office hall. She’s so humble and unassuming about her influence in these little lives. (That’s why I had to post a pic of fourth-grade Ezra instead of her! =)) I finally did find one of some kids playing four-square in the fellowship hall, just because that happens at least three times a week. 
Ezra is in the fifth grade now, Because the fourth grade this year is smaller, Mrs. Belinda invited the fifth grade back, too, for the afternoon of fun. Ezra could hardly believe he got to do this amazing event two years running. Yesterday was the day. It was the best kind of fun. It ended with a celebration of Jonah’s and Heidi’s birthday. There were gifts. There are always gifts. But the biggest gift those kids walk away with each Sunday and each year, of course, is knowledge and wisdom about the unspeakable gift.
Speaking of gifts…at the end of the day, I stopped to thank Mrs.Belinda. She said “God has given me this gift. How could I not use it? This is my joy. They are wonderful.”