The Prodigal Frog

A few summers ago, my husband and our eldest son dug a pond in our backyard and filled it with goldfish and koi. When my dad came to visit from England for three weeks, he loved nothing more than sitting out by that pond and feeding the greedy fish. Always the nature lover, it gave him great delight to count the many frogs that would surround the pond each day. Most of all, he enjoyed looking out for one particularly fat, and easily recognizable frog, whom we fondly named 'Henri'. Each day, it became a regular routine to spot where Henri was hiding. But one morning, Henri was gone. That frog, who had almost become a family pet to us, had simply vanished. For several days, we searched for him- but to no avail. We were filled with sadness. The pond was just not the same without him. 
Imagine then our delight the day that Henri returned to the pond! It made us so happy! As ridiculous as it seems, the return of that fat frog filled us with joy! Henri was home! 
Now if we could feel so much joy over the return of one fat, prodigal frog, imagine how much greater is God's delight when His precious children return to Him. 
Never underestimate your role in children's ministry. You are helping to bring His children home. And that, my friends, is a wonderful, wonderful thing.