A couple of weeks ago, my friend Jen asked me if I would be willing to help her in Sunday School. Notice the word willing. You see, Jen knows that I am not big on teaching Sunday School. I love kids...in small doses and on my time. Yes, I know how that sounds, and yes, I am not proud of that statement, but I am in the business of trying to be real. I said yes thinking two things...it's only one Sunday and it's serving with Jen. I love ministering with Jen. We have done so many things together for Jesus, made mistakes along the way, have had SOOOOO many laughs, have shed some tears, have been bluntly honest with each other, and have a friendship that defies words to adequately describe. I could do this.....
Week one turned into two weeks. There were laughs, there was some frustration for this Type A personality, there were fifteen 3-5 year olds at various levels of development, temperament and attitude and there was masking tape....lots and lots of masking tape! The first week I walked upstairs after class with masking tape stuck to the bottom of my shoe and the guy behind me making fun of me because of it. The second week, Jen's husband Chad was back to help, but I decided to stay and help because they could use it...and I am glad I did. At one point, Jen dumped two bags of plastic animals out in two piles and told the kids they could choose what they wanted. Fifteen kids dove for the coveted toys as my left eye began to twitch in nervousness. I told Jen that would have played out differently had I been in charge. I can see it now as the kids stand in line while General Carla doles out the booty! As I taped (I am beginning to love masking tape by this point!) lids for 'shaker noise makers', I had four of the kiddies 'biting' me with their animals (Noah's ark theme) and one having her horse eat the 'hay' off of my arm all while I pretended to react from the snake and fish bites. There were shoes to tie, songs to sing, and lessons to learn, especially by me.
Yep, the assistant teacher got schooled this past week. I got to see again just how magnificent our church is at ministering to children. Yes, our VBS is a fantastic event...but our Sunday School is better yet! It's all about pouring Jesus into a child at every age. Whether it's changing diapers, tying shoes, wiping runny noses, teaching Bible verses, teaching a lesson on obedience to 3-5 year olds in a way they understand...it's all pointing them to Jesus. While Mom and Dad are upstairs getting Jesus poured into their lives by our Pastor's teaching, their children are seeing Jesus with skin on downstairs. These folks LABOR for Christ and do it with a smile and love for the kids and their parents.
So, what did I learn? That my reluctance to help was merely an excuse because I would rather be upstairs, sitting in a pew, being comfortable. That there is a great need for help in our children's ministry. That people who say they don't know where to serve need to talk to Beau and see if this is a fit for you. That we have incredible servants of Christ doing a wonderful service for the Kingdom! Thank YOU!
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