Uninhibited Rejoicing
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Hey Reader! “PRAISE is celebrative worship in which believers magnify and exalt the Lord through expressive acts, enthusiastically proclaiming the unrivaled excellence of His Name, His character, and His actions in a spirit of uninhibited rejoicing!” -Dr. Bruce Leafblad Jean Thomason (aka Miss Pattycake) shared this quote with me recently in a conversation, and it gave me a whole new perspective on some of the typical behavior we see in preschoolers! When I read the words “uninhibited rejoicing,” I immediately picture preschoolers. Their joy spills out in spontaneous songs, arms lifted high, and little feet that can’t help but move all the time! They laugh loudly, sing boldly, and express their love without hesitation. In so many ways, our youngest children already embody the kind of praise God delights in. I think I have a lot to learn from young children about “uninhibited rejoicing”. Our role, then, is maybe less about teaching them how to praise but rather to guide their natural expressions toward the One who is worthy. We help them connect their spontaneous joy to Jesus. We teach them that clapping hands, jumping feet, and happy voices can all be acts of worship. We model what it means to celebrate God’s goodness in big and small moments. We create space in our classrooms and our hearts for expressive, authentic praise. In moments of chaos…could we adjust our mindset and see “uninhibited rejoicing” and remind our adult selves that God delights in these praises! Let’s not always hush their worship. Let’s join in. Redirect the wild and crazy movement toward a moment of celebration that God is SO good that He made our bodies able to worship Him! When children praise God freely, we catch a glimpse of heaven—and we remember that true praise is not about perfection or performance. It’s about wonder, celebration, and yes… uninhibited rejoicing. When was the last time YOU showed up before God with uninhibited rejoicing?
Cheering you on this week! -Your ECCN team
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