The Spelling Bee - round 2

Today was a day we have been anticipating for months. The regional spelling bee. My son David was top speller in his class, so he got to go to the regional spelling bee in Winston Salem today. The top spellers and the runners up from each class got to go. Seven regional Christian schools were represented there today and I was amazed at the sheer number of them. We met at the school at 6:30 a.m. (yes, a.m.!), loaded up and headed out. We reached Winston Salem at 8:30 and had time to get ready before 9 a.m. Each grade level was broken off into their own room to do the spelling bee. No parents are allowed to watch. Only the spellers and the 4 judges are allowed in the room. Most grades had over 25 students competing. Even though I couldn't watch David, I was able to be a judge for the 5th graders. I actually was grateful I didn't have to watch my son. I was a complete wreck just for these 5th graders I didn't know. You want them to do so well, and honestly, most of them did. I seriously couldn't spell most of the words these kids had to know. As I watched each of these children get up and attempt words I couldn't pronounce, much less spell, I was struck at the camaraderie among the students. Of course you had the high fives and "good job" spoken among students from the same school. But you also had encouragement from other students who didn't know each other. These children were visibly disappointed when someone missed a word. We had a few tears from the girls, and even the boys after the contest. These children have worked hard over the last few months, and to leave disappointed was not on their minds. It broke my heart when a child was eliminated. But the encouragement they received from their peers was amazing to watch. David did really well and made it to the 7th round. I could tell he was disappointed in himself and I asked him if he cried. He said "just a little". :( Kids are resilient though. He bounced back really well, with the encouragement of his friends, and by the time we sat in the auditorium, he was happy again. I am grateful for this experience. I am thankful my little boy, who just a few years ago wouldn't go into his Sunday school room without crying, is now standing up in front of total strangers with the wherewith all to spell hard words. I am thankful for our school, and other schools, that teach good sportsmanship and values Jesus taught us to have. I am thankful for all the hard work our teachers and volunteers put into this. I am grateful to my husband for working so hard so that I may help out at our school on a day like today. Most of all, I am thankful I got to spend the day with my son. To hear him laughing with his buddies in the back seat of the van; to watch him pull himself up out of disappointment and look at the bright side; to be proud as he said "mom, I want to run upstairs and tell Mrs. Dukes how I did" when we could have gone home. I am sure the Lord was proud of those children today. And he most certainly was glorified in all that was done today. The most glory for him came in the actions of these children, which we can all learn from. I know I did.