Pattern
Pattern
Children remind us to take life one step at a time. Thoughts inspired by them…
When I need a fresh perspective, it’s helpful to ask the opinions of preschoolers. We all take for granted the meaning behind words that we have known and used since little. But, what about if you’re still little? What does that word mean to you, as your brain soaks in hundreds of new facts each day?
Describing and actually making a pattern is a simple and fun concept for a preschooler. The actual dictionary definition of a pattern is “a repeated design or recurring sequence.” But, more importantly, what does a preschooler think? I have a few thoughts from my “happy to share” class of little ones.
“Red, blue, red, blue, red, blue. That’s a pattern,” said one little boy. Or, an explanation from my animal lover, “Crocodile, alligator, crocodile, alligator, crocodile, alligator.”
Someone offered that you have to “match it up” as a way to explain patterns. And of course, a few offered that “you go back and forth, back and forth.” This was even said with accompanying hand motions, of course.
“You just keep doing it,” said one little girl. That was a favorite for me and got me reflecting. We learn by repetition. Not surprising that some of the class’s favorite books to listen to during story time are those with a good bit of repetition.
Even in the great story of Creation, there was repetition. There was a pattern.
“And there was evening, and there was morning, one day... And there was evening, and there was morning, a second day... And there was evening, and there was morning, a third day...” (Genesis 1) And so on...
No matter where I land in the Bible, I can find a familiar theme of God’s message of hope, of mercy, of faithfulness, of love, and more. The text may be different, depending on the version, but not the themes. They are woven throughout the pages... repeated throughout. Indeed there is a pattern to be found and imprinted on my soul. And, in this case, patterns worth repeating.
In the end, patterns may be simple and involve crocodiles and alligators. Or, they may be of deep and eternal thoughts - those of hope and love. Either way, we only learn the pattern as someone wise said - “You just keep doing it.”