“Because we loved you so much,” 

—1 Thess. 2:8 NIV 

I recently spent four hours caring for my six-month-old granddaughter. We shared everything from smiles, giggles, diaper changes, and spit-up (oh, the spit-up!) to slobbery loves and peaceful naps. This Nana was exhausted. But caring for that sweet girl was worth every second. 

Preschoolers range in age from birth through five or six years of age. The amount of growth and change each child experiences over those years is amazing. Tiny bodies grow exponentially and begin to mature, personalities develop, and the developing relationships we share capture our hearts. I am in awe of God’s plan for us to be born as helpless babies and grow in ever increasingly more complex ways! 

“Because we loved you so much” tells why we experience such joy as we lead Mission Friends—because we love them so much! We love the Lord and He has placed these precious ones into our care to love as He loves. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19), and we follow His example to love others as He loves us. 

To the preschoolers we love: 

Because we love you so much, we carefully plan the best activities possible for you to enjoy as you learn about missions, missionaries, and the different Christian concept areas. 

Because we love you so much, we pray for you and your families, and offer help as needs are discovered. 

Because we love you so much, we pour our time, energy, and resources into making Mission Friends the best place we can. 

Because we love you so much, we lovingly and with great joy meet you right where you are when you walk or are carried through that door—happy, sad, angry, tired, hungry, scared, or excited. 

Because we love you so much, we experience the joy of loving preschoolers. So much joy. 

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, Thank You for having such an amazing plan for humans to be born as helpless babies and grow into intricately awesome adults. Thank You for loving us so much so we might follow Your example and shower love and joy over the ones You’ve placed in our care. Lord Jesus, fill our hearts with Your love and joy. All for You. Amen. 

Angie Quantrell is the editor for WMU preschool resources.