Laurel's Morning Devotional

Laurel continues to impress me this year!  She has really matured and has gained so much self confidence.  Every month, a different class takes turns reading the morning devotional over the intercom.  Each student is encouraged to participate.  There are some students that just refuse.  They say, No Way!  Laurel said that she wanted to say, No Way, but she knew that it would be good for her.  She volunteered and was given the devotional a couple of days in advance to practice.  Her and I had a good time going over and over the devotional.  She kept saying how nervous she was.  I told her when she got to this part:  "How about simply being charitable in the way you treat others....  to insert, with her best rapper's voice, "Yeah, that's right!  I'm talking to you!  You know you are mean!  Why You have to be so mean!!!"
Anyway, we laughed and laughed making up our own version.  I think it helped with her nerves.
 She did a great job!  She read with the sweetest voice and after she finished, the principal said, "that was read with great fluency and expression!"

This is how it went.

Good morning!  This is Laurel Clayton with a few words of wisdom.

I have a question for you.  Do you ever give to charity?  You say, "Hey! I'm just a kid!  I don't have anything to give to charity!"  Wrong!  How about cleaning out your closet and giving away some shoes or jeans you've outgrown, or how about sending some of your allowance money to the Salvation Army or the Red Cross?  (Every dollar counts.)  How about simply being charitable in the way you treat others....like being generous with your smiles or hugs-or giving away a few words of kindness.

Someone wise once said,

Charity is never lost...it ever does a work of beauty and grace upon the heart of the giver.

In other words, you don't lose anything when you are charitable.  Instead, you gain a bigger heart and a great sense of love for yourself and others.

With something to think about, this is Laurel Clayton.  Make it a great day....or not.  The choice is yours.

*Thomas Middleton

Love this devotion and love that Laurel got over her nerves and did a great job!  I went into the office and was able to watch and listen to her.