Becoming Who You Already Are
Kris Finley, ELEA National Board President

“I’m always in the process of becoming who I already am.”

—Cliff Bronson

This is a quote from a fellow staff member, Cliff Bronson, who shared it at a staff meeting during devotions as we were discussing the story of the Good Samaritan. Another staff member had asked the question if Jesus really expected us to help every person we knew that needed our help. And if he had, what an overwhelming request and how could we possibly obey this expectation? Cliff explained that he reminds himself that we are already seen as loved and forgiven children of God, but as Christians there are expectations which we must continually work towards to Become That Which We Already Are.

This reminded me of a situation that I have filed away a long time ago as a huge disappointment to myself and to a family that I never met but only spoke with over the phone one afternoon. This family was looking for a preschool that would take their child who was developmentally delayed, not potty trained and who was learning to communicate through sign language. As their story unfolded, the child’s grandmother was willing to accompany the child to class every day to be there as a personal aid so the child could benefit from being with “normal” children. To say the least, I was not the “Good Samaritan” when I turned down the opportunity to even consider this child for enrollment over the phone.

I was scared!

How many times do our fears and personal biases interfere with responding to and meeting the needs of students in our classrooms or those that need our empathy, love and action in our community?

As with all failures, God uses them to mold us and give us the opportunity to grow and change. The next child with special needs I had the opportunity to offer our services to, I took it. Amazingly enough it was a wonderful experience….not easy….very challenging, but very rewarding. Over the years, our entire staff has grown in their openness and willingness as well. In the classroom, having children with special needs has given our teachers the opportunity to teach tolerance and acceptance to every child in a very real and personal way. Our entire preschool community has benefited.

Our school now has a positive reputation in the community for having a huge heart for children with special needs. We take the extra time to meet with those families, provide them with resources in the community that would benefit them and hopefully teach them to become assertive advocates for their child.

I challenge all of us in our Lutheran Schools and Centers community to look closely at how you accept and meet the needs of ALL children……….Please….. Become Who You Already Are!

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