Faith to Push Forward

My Sunday primary class has doubled in size the past month. The 7-year-old class was split into two classes at the beginning of the year, but the other teacher moved without very little notice and I agreed to take her class until they called a new teacher. Well, after having them for three weeks, I decided I wanted to keep them. The very next week we had the worst lesson of the year--little focus, lots of giggling, making faces, no spirit, you name it. I felt glum. It was my week for playing the organ in sacrament meeting (the main meeting for families on the Sabbath where we take the sacrament and listen to speakers). I play postlude and therefore get to class after the children, so it's always a bit tough making it work, but last week nothing seemed to work. So, I spent all week kind of mulling ideas and worrying. Today, I just had to go for it. I've still got to come up with a plan for the week I play the organ (still deciding), but for now I make sure I get to the room early enough to get chairs set up right and have the first class member stand at the door showing reverance. I'd have the children set up chairs, but I've noticed that with such a big class they struggle doing it on their own. Anyway, I axed the "share one thing you did this week" at the beginning and went right into a song and prayer. We restarted the song several times because I expected one of the boys to give reverent attention and he wasn't. He got the picture quite well. Then, I made sure to involve every class member in telling the stories we shared that showed how Heavenly Father answers our prayers in the best way, which was our lesson. Man, what a difference a week makes. I listened to my own inspiration (which said it would be okay to do away with the sharing part at the beginning) and to some suggestions from my sister. I was delighted to see that the class seemed to desire reverence. They really responded to the spirit.

I am so grateful for inspiration which comes from the Holy Ghost, the scriptures, and others. I am also grateful for the blessing of taking part in the Spirit of our Heavenly Father with my class.