Handy Lessons of Love

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As a young educator, I quickly discovered that I learned more from our daily lessons than my students. Any teacher worth her salt never stops learning; that is the touchstone of true wisdom.

So why should it surprise me now that my new students in a Christian day school are teaching me so much every day? These preschool kids are amazing, like tiny sponges, eager to learn and share their new knowledge.

Each day, these sweet babies teach me something new and profound about our Savior and His love for us. This last week turned into a lesson about His hands – and mine.

It started on the first day of our weekly music class when my four- and five-year-old students sang the classic children’s song, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” They love this tune and are very familiar with it, but the sing-along video I used with the song this week was new to my students.

I failed to notice one aspect of the video when I previewed it for my classes, but each of my students instantly noticed it. They quickly began to comment on the holes (or, as they called them, the booboos) depicted in the hands of the animated character of Jesus.

I almost panicked for a moment since those holes are a deep theological lesson for preschoolers. But, praise God, I did not need to worry! One of my sweet little girls piped up instantly, explaining to her classmates that Jesus got those booboos when He was nailed to the cross for us.

Think about that! A four-year-old child openly and easily shared the basic story of sin, salvation, and heaven with her entire class. I was in awe of this precious, holy moment, but I had to gain control of my senses and finish our class.

So, I ended the conversation by adding that when we do get to heaven (another popular topic among little kids, surprisingly), the only booboos there will be those holes in the hands of Jesus. I figured this would point the class back to our regular litany of current booboos and Band-Aids.

I was amazed once more when our little class evangelist added, “But Jesus has holes in His feet too!”

As the class went sideways again, I heartily agreed. Throughout eternity, we will be in awe when we look at those loving booboos on the hands and feet of Jesus.

What a big lesson from such a little girl!

This teacher was reminded that it is never too early to start teaching our children about the precious love of Jesus. Those lessons should be an integral part of the daily lives of moms, dads, grandparents, and teachers.

But my hand-centered lessons were not over for the week. Not at all.

When the three-year-olds walked into my classroom, I stood near the door to welcome them and get my regular dose of hugs. As they found their seats and I headed to the front of the room, one of the little boys (who is all-boy and tough as nails) came running up to me and grabbed my hand.

He proceeded to kiss my hand, explaining, “I just wanted to kiss your hand!” He kissed it once more before turning just as abruptly and heading back to his seat.

I was speechless … truly speechless.

In 23 years as a teacher, none of my students ever did that. I received countless hugs and my share of kisses on the cheek. Kids gave me flowers, candy, tiny toys, and the best love notes in the world. I have also received precious whispers and affirmations of love, some so poignant that they hurt my heart – like when teens whispered, “I wish you were my momma.”

Yes, I’ve had students who wanted to hold my hand during recess or during walks through the hallways, but I have never been kissed on the hand.

This hand kiss instantly made me think of my own little boys who used to lie beside me at night and rub my hand in loving adoration. Those are powerful, poignant memories of pure love.

But this hand kiss was different. It hit me so deeply, like a gift, straight from the hand of my Savior. A true treasure.

Throughout the week, I continued to reflect on these two hand-centered incidents at school. I felt compelled to look up verses in the Bible about hands to study the word’s scriptural significance. And I learned a handful about hands.

In the King James version of the Bible, almost 1,300 verses contain the word “hand.” The Strong’s Concordance explained the word’s literal definition and its deeper meaning, since a hand can also signify strength, power, authority, security, or even insecurity, depending upon its context.

Beyond that, I researched the significance of a hand kiss. I learned that the extension of the hand was often a gesture of love, friendship, and fidelity – even acceptance and pardon from a king or person of authority and power.

That knowledge makes a kiss on the hand a pretty significant metaphor or symbol for God’s children. It also takes the admonition by Paul to greet our Christian brethren with a “holy kiss” (Romans 16:16) to another level.

As such, I especially enjoyed reading “Greet with a Holy Kiss: Applying an Uncomfortable Command.” In this insightful article, David Mathis, pastor and online editor of Desiring God, thoroughly explored this “kissing” verse from Romans.

Mathis wrote that “A kissing kingdom says something about its sovereign.” Then, he compared the brotherly love and affection of those first church members with the story of Judas betraying Jesus, His Sovereign, with a kiss.

Mathis concluded that … “we resolve with every ‘holy kiss’ not to betray or backstab each other, not to ‘bite and devour one another” (Galatians 5:15). Rather, we resolve to serve each other, be loyal to each other, love each other in ways that show the world, the flesh, and the devil what kisses are for ….”

If we take that one love-filled thought of a kissing kingdom back to our Sovereign and His act of love at this Cross, what does it say about our Savior?

Well, as my precious student reminded me, the big booboos in the hands of Jesus say that our Sovereign loved us so much that He not only extended His hands to us, but He also willingly let His hands be nailed to the cross for our sins.

Talk about a holy kiss!

So, as soon as I enter the gates of heaven, I intend to take a cue from both of my precious students and kiss the holy, loving hands of Jesus in thankfulness and worship.

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