James 24:7

Violence upon violence today.  Heart ache upon heart ache.

Sometimes I think we need to return to kindergarten.  

If Jesus taught kindergarten he might say something like this….

1. Now sometimes when your neighbor does things that make you say: “He shouldn’t do that…It scares me when he does…” you should close your eyes and pray for your neighbor.
2. And when you feel angry toward your neighbor try to think of good things you can do for him and do them.
3. Let’s resist ‘getting even.’  Instead let’s pray even for that one who hurts our feelings or makes us cry. 
4. Let’s ask God to do good things even to those who do bad things to us and others.
5. And if your neighbor says, “Pick up that toy and bring it over here”, go ahead and help your neighbor and then ask, “Anything else I can help you with?”
6. And even when we feel like calling your neighbor a terrible name like “poopy pants” or “dumbhead”, let’s just lean over, turn our heads and let those words fall out of our ears instead of our mouths.
7. When your neighbor does something bad to you, something that hurts your feelings try not to hurt them back.  Bring that hurt and that neighbor to me and then tell someone who can help you with that neighbor. 
8. Pretend that when you look at your neighbor- the ones you like and the ones you don’t like- you cannot even see them without looking through your “magic window”….ME!
9. Oh…and when your neighbor is mad at you…don’t hide from your neighbor.  As you can, go to him and see if you can work it out before you bring others into it.
10. When your neighbor threatens to tell on you for something you may or may not have done, walk with your neighbor while he’s on the way to tell on you and see what you can do to make things all better.  Maybe you can work it out before you get to where you are going.
11. When you are playing with a toy and your neighbor wants it, go ahead and give it to him.  Maybe you can play with it together…or maybe you can just wait until he’s finished playing with it to play with it…or maybe you can tell him to ‘have fun’ while you are handing it to him…or maybe you could hand him that toy and give him another to go with it! 
12. Don’t forget to say “good morning” and “have a nice day” to everyone- those you like and even those you don’t like. 
13. When you can…do something nice for your neighbor but don’t tell her you did it…and don’t tell anyone else either!  It will be our little secret!
14. Be careful so you do not get to thinking too highly of yourself.  You are a prize to me so don’t worry about trying to tell your neighbors what a prize you are. 
15. When you see your neighbor being naughty, don’t look down on your neighbor.  Just think to yourself, “oh that reminds me of that time when I was naughty.”
16. Don’t forget that your toys will break and wear out and you will lose interest in them.  And don’t forget that sometimes your neighbor might actually take one! Take care of your toys but remember “all toys are here today and gone tomorrow!”  That’s just the way toys are.
17. Don’t worry too much about what “might happen”.  Instead listen to the birds sing and watch the flowers bloom.  When you are scared run your fingers through your hair and try to count each one.  See if you can guess how many you have.  (I know!)
18. Don’t look down on your neighbor.  He may not have toys like you or clothes like you.  He may not look like you.  Just tell him “good morning” and try to think of some good things you can do for him today.
19. When you get up in the morning think about one of your neighbors and ask yourself: “what could I do for her today that I would like done for me today?”  Do that nice thing for her whether anyone does a nice thing for you or not.
20. Keep your eyes open and listen.  Not all neighbors are nice neighbors.  If your neighbor gives you a funny feeling then just back up, walk away and tell someone.
21. And always, always, always remember…that I will only tell you and teach you and show you things that are best for you.