to those who minister to other people's kids...

To those who minister to children…

to the faithful friends who serve other people's kids each week…

thank you.

The thought of you

brings tears of gratefulness to my eyes.  

You have lives, you know

(although I know sometimes you wonder if you really do).

You have jobs

and families

and hopes

and dreams.

You have a million things to do 

at the same time

and yet you take time

to study,

to gather all sorts of craft supplies,

and the ever-important snack

for other people's kids. 

All the while ministering 

to your own kids

or grandkids

or nieces and nephews.

And you throw it all together and lay it all on the line

every week. 

For other people's kids.

You do it for Jesus

don't you? 

What you do is a beautiful offering.

A timeless song

of faithfulness and servanthood

that started forever ago 

when Jesus looked at His friends and told them

to go

and teach

and baptize.

That's you, you know. 

You are one of Jesus' friends,

doing as He instructed you.

What could be more simple and complex all at the same time?

So when you're disappointed 
that the craft didn't go as you hoped it would...

Or that things are bumpy or tough or unclear...

Or that one of those kids you minister to has arrived wired for sound

(Cocoa Puffs for breakfast will do that, you know),

take hope

and remember that you are here 'cause Jesus sent you here.

That classroom is holy ground. 

Holy. Ground.

You're His friend.

He called you 

and told you

to go. 

And teach.

And baptize.

So clothe yourself in Him,

wrap up in His calling, 

and stand up tall

while kneeling low to look in the eyes of a child.

Jesus has an adventure in mind for that child,

and He sent you to be the one to deliver the message.

Preach on.

For Jesus.

Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace. ~1 Peter 4:10

Many blessings,

Deni