Without My Shoes

I recently had an interesting experience in church.....it was communion Sunday and the pastor encouraged us to think about the fact that we were standing on 'holy ground'. She invited us to take off our shoes as we came forward for communion. As I did so it was remarkable to me how the absence of my shoes made me feel.
Without my shoes I felt awkward, unsure and uncomfortable; my feet felt distinctly cold on the uncarpeted floor; my height was diminished and as a result, I felt less important and vulnerable. As I scrambed back to my seat and hurriedly replaced my shoes, I immediately felt more secure, more important, more safe, more relaxed.

But suppose I was meant to feel less important when I stood on that holy ground? Suppose instead of focusing on my own feelings and my own comfort, I was supposed instead to focus on Christ? Suppose as we serve in ministry, the times when we feel unsure, unimportant or uncomfortable are the times when Christ can work through us the most?

This week as we step into our classrooms, our ministry spaces, our playgrounds -wherever it may be that we meet with our children... let's put all our energy into focusing on Christ- because with or without our shoes, we are standing on holy ground.
Chris Tomlin: We Fall Down

Potholes

March in Michigan heralds the season of potholes! In fact, The Detroit Press last week labeled Michigan as 'pothole paradise'. No surprise then, to hear on the radio that MITA- Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association- have sponsored an online registry whereby Michigan drivers can report the location of potholes. In a period of just two weeks, there have been over 650 potholes reported on this statewide registry, along with photos and comments from drivers. However, although this information is useful, MITA is powerless to actually repair these potholes-
the problem lies with state legislators who need to allocate the necessary funding to fill them in. 
Potholes are always best avoided in our ministry- but if we do find one, how fortunate for us that we can report it to One who is all powerful, One who will already be at work to fill it in...

after all, He is mightier than MITA.
Power and might are in your hand. 2 Chronicles 20:6

For The World?

Beautiful Baby Xander

This week a beautiful baby boy was born and I became a grandma. What a precious gift! What a privilege! I held my first grandson; I watched him sleeping peacefully in my arms; I marveled at this miracle of new life and with a heart full of love, I looked at him and thought, 'I would not give this up for the world.'
2000 years ago, in much the same way, another beautiful baby boy was born. Another precious gift! Another privilege! Another miracle of new life! The only difference here was that when this little boy was born, with a heart full of love, God looked at Him and thought, 'I can give Him up for the world'. And that is just what He did. What a powerful reminder for me, and what a powerful message we bring....
for the world.
Mary Did You Know?

Followers...

It is so interesting to me that a little phrase, first used by Jesus over 2,000 years ago, has now become one of the most powerful phrases in social networking. Everywhere we turn, we are met with pleas to 'follow me'! 'Follow me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, follow me on my blog'. Even as you read this article, if you look to the right, you will see my own plea for you to 'become a follower'. When I first began my blog, I was so excited to check how many followers I had. Yet maybe what should really excite me is how many people would be inspired to follow me, or my example, when I have gone. And so I ask myself- who have I nurtured, mentored, encouraged or inspired to be as passionate about Children's Ministry as I am?

In this world of followers, ducklings follow ducks, people follow leaders, Christians follow Christ. Who will follow me? Who will follow you?

Chris Tomlin: I Will Follow

The Ultimate G.P.S.

The 24 GPS satellites in orbit
12,000 miles above the Earth

Last week, my husband and I purchased a Global Positioning System for our car. What an ingenious little device! As we drove along in our tiny, insignificant Cavalier (just one of the 125 million cars on the road in the USA alone) I was fascinated by the thought that this small, unassuming silver box, attached to our windshield, could direct us on our journey. And yet it is true that we were indeed connected to, and being guided by, one of the 24 satellites that orbit the Earth an incredible 12,000 miles above! No more worries about getting lost! These amazing devices know, not only where we are, but where we need to be headed.
Do you ever feel lost, tiny or insignificant as you journey in your ministry? Every day, no matter where we are, we have the privilege to be connected to and guided by the ultimate G.P.S.- God's Positioning System. He knows exactly where we are and where we need to be headed. We can trust that He will faithfully guide us there. Turn on your G.P.S!
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
"This is the way, walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

Happy Endings...

When I was a little girl, I loved the stories of The Three Little Pigs, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

Why?

Because despite the best efforts of the big bad wolf, the ugly sisters or the wicked witch, all my favorite characters managed to live 'happily ever after'. I have always loved stories with a happy ending. I still do. I think everyone does.
 

And if we serve in children's ministry what a privilege we have- to carry with us the greatest story ever told, with the happiest ending imaginable!

The gospel story is a fairy tale come true, penned by the author of happy endings. 

Those three little pigs may have suffered along the way but in the end, they lived 'happily ever after'.

So will we. And so will the children we nurture.

Are you ready to encourage them this week?

Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. Hebrews 12: 2

Beautiful Feet...

The latest in pedicures...

I stood, riveted to the spa window and could not believe what I saw. Three people sat, dangling their feet in a fish tank, whilst hundreds of tiny fish nibbled hungrily at the dead cells between their toes. An eye catching sign on the wall above boldly declared:

Fish are good for the soles. 
 

Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of fish pedicures- a beauty treatment that I, for one, will not be taking advantage of.

Besides not being thrilled at the thought of fish eating my feet, I have found a far more effective way of keeping them beautiful.

Whenever my feet take me into my classroom or my community; whenever I can encourage a child, or show them that they are loved; whenever I can lead by example, or inspire little ones to open up a Bible....whenever I can bring the Good News of the gospel to children, I have found the perfect pedicure. Friends, if you are serving in Children's Ministry, then you have beautiful feet too.

And it is good for our souls.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring Good News. Isaiah 52:7