Life in Lape Haven

Category - Encouragement

Embracing the Moments of “Mommy Sadness”

Life in Lape Haven: Embracing the Moments of Mom Sadness

He held my hand tightly as we walked into the school. Neither of us knew where anything was or where we were supposed to be, but we were on this adventure together: Kindergarten Open House.

How was it that my little guy was big enough to be preparing for kindergarten? (I still remember clearly when I was in kindergarten!) Sitting beside him at a table in his soon-to-be cafeteria while we waited for the parent meeting to start, I felt my heart squeeze tightly, as though it were trying desperately to hold on to this moment, this second in time.

He still seems so little.

Then he nestled closer to me, laying his head against my arm, making my heart tighten further. I blinked back tears when he smiled sweetly up at me.

I thought about what my sister-in-law had said when I asked my friends and family for advice in facing these weeks of transition, “Remember to try to enjoy the moment in your mommy sadness, too.”

Looking at Elijah’s excited little face, seeing the hints of nervousness in his eyes, in his fidgeting, in the solid grip he had on my arm, and the complete trust overwhelming it all, knowing that Mommy was right there with him, I knew I was in that very moment, the double-edged sword of parenthood.

What other experience in life is as bittersweet as watching this precious child, whom you love more than anything, grow, become independent, and flourish as their own person?

There is so much joy and pride in seeing their discoveries, accomplishments, and individual triumphs, mixed with the heartbreaking awareness of how quickly time is passing and how briefly we get to hold so closely these most beautiful gifts of God.

It’s so hard to stand there, slowly letting go, watching them step out from your constant protection and comfort (even knowing that God is with them), and seeing them face potential disappointment or hurt in a fallen world.Life in Lape Haven: Embracing the Moments of Mom Sadness - First day of Kindergarten

While we often say, “This, too, shall pass,” as encouragement on those long, draining days of temper tantrums, potty training, and our every request being questioned, it’s these moments of “mommy sadness” that remind us that those giggly morning snuggles, that tiny hand clinging to yours, the wide-eyed fascination in simply studying a nighttime sky also fall into the category of “This, too, shall pass.”

So there I sat, my wiggly kindergartener anxious to meet his teacher, see his classroom, find his desk, and meet some other children. He was ready for this next chapter, eager to embrace it.

I knew he wouldn’t understand my “mommy sadness.”

None of us do when we’re the kindergartener (I love you, Mom!).

But as the mommy, I held it close, not to wallow in my own pity party, but to revel in the beauty of such an opportunity to love so soul-wrenchingly deeply.

What a gorgeous glimmer of God, dropped right into our hearts!Life in Lape Haven: Embracing the Moments of Mom Sadness - Mommy and Elijah on the First day of Kindergarten

The “mommy sadness” is a result of loving my child. And I’m choosing to embrace it. I could tuck it away, brush it off, or distract myself. With two busy boys, a house to clean, dinner to make, and a new book on my Kindle, I have plenty of ways to ignore my heart.

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However, I’d rather it challenge and encourage me to cherish each and every minute with my boys, to be present and attentive to truly hear what their little voices are saying, to be quicker to drop housework or outside distractions to play with them, and to love them even more soul-wrenchingly deeply.

Embracing that “mommy sadness” allows me to enjoy the moments more fully because it shows me the true value in that moment.

Today, he held my hand tightly as we walked up to the school. He knew where everything was and exactly where he was supposed to be, and we were ready to embrace this adventure together: Kindergarten.

Life in Lape Haven: Embracing the Moments of Mom Sadness - Heading in to school

Update: If you’d like to know how our adventure in Kindergarten was, check out my look back on the year: Trusting God Through Kindergarten.

Get more ideas & encouragement from this real-life mom as I experience God’s faithfulness through the joy and chaos of motherhood.

Join my email list!  

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When God Says, “Start a Blog”

Life in Lape Haven: When God Says Start a Blog

Obeying when His plan makes you say, “Wait…what?”

I was preparing to upload a picture to Facebook one day last fall, when I realized that I had more to say about the picture than I could really put in a simple caption. That was when God whispered, “Start a blog.”

I immediately thought, “Wait…what? Um, no. That’s not necessary. Besides, I don’t want to blog. I have no idea how all that works, nor do I have the time. And I wouldn’t have anything to write about. I’m a stay-at-home wife and mom. There are plenty of other people blogging about that same thing. So, yeah, that’s not for me.”

But God is persistent. And He knows me. That means He knows that He HAS to be persistent for me to finally get what He’s been telling me all along.

How do I know this? Because He’s done it before. It’s kind of our thing.

For example, when I was a young, single chick, I l lived in an area where there weren’t many available guys my age, which was frustrating for a girl who knew in her heart that God’s plan for her included a husband and a family.

God said (believe it or not), “Join eHarmony.” Seriously.

I immediately thought, “Wait…what? Um, no. That’s not necessary. Besides, I don’t want to. That’s for desperate people. Online dating? No, thank you. What about creepers and all that? Yeah, that’s not for me.”

The whisper never went away…for at least a year. Finally I mentioned it to my mom, and she said, “Oh, I think you should! It could be fun.” I think for her, it was like playing “The Dating Game” or something. She liked seeing who I got matched up with.

However, within a few months, I met my husband. Within a year and a half, we were married.

Do I think online dating is for everyone? No. I didn’t even think it was for me. But God knew.

Did I miss out on time with Brad because I hesitated in signing up? Nope. God’s timing is always perfect. Brad actually hadn’t been checking his account for a while, then one day switched a setting to include a larger area of Ohio, and I popped up.

No, God, again, knew what He was doing. He knew I take a while, sometimes, to accept that what I’m feeling is truly His will. So, He started nudging me right when He needed to.

Even though it wasn’t what I had planned for how I would meet my Prince Charming, God came along and perfectly orchestrated everything. There is no doubt in my mind that it was part of His plan. My husband is everything that I didn’t even know that I needed in a mate. But, as usual, God knew.

Life in Lape Haven: Brad and Kishona at the wedding

So, when I felt God’s leading to start a blog (of all things), I, of course, hesitated at first. However, as the idea settled into my heart, I started doing research. I started trying to come up with a name. I started planning what I could actually write about.

Since God had only given me the directions of “start a blog,” and little else, I was just stepping out slowly in faith that He would give me the answers I needed along the way.

Thankfully, I know I’m not the only person that God leads in this way.

Remember Abraham? God simply said, “Go,” and according to Hebrews 11:8, “He went out, not knowing where he was going.” (As in, without a map or destination.) Did he say, “Wait…what?” I don’t know. Genesis 12 just says that he went. Abraham simply started walking and followed God’s leading to the land God had for him and his descendants.

Remember Gideon? God called him to be a warrior and lead an army when he was hiding from the enemy and believed himself to be the least of the least. He was clearly hesitant and slow to accept God’s plan. Once he did, God whittled away his numbers until there were only a few hundred. Then God decided that the weapons of choice were trumpets, pitchers, and torches. However, despite how confusing that probably felt at points, Gideon still obeyed and was victorious. (Judges 6 & 7)

You could go through the Bible, cover to cover, and find numerous accounts of how God’s plan, ones that usually didn’t make a lot of sense initially, interrupted a person’s life for the better and for His glory.

So, I’m starting a blog. Not because I really wanted to (I’m enjoying it now, though), not because I feel I’m the world’s greatest writer (I do like writing and value grammar, but don’t expect perfection every time because I’m probably typing surrounded by the chaos of my boys playing), not because I know what I’m doing (I’m learning, but it’s still overwhelming at points), and not because I have any grand plans for my blog to change the world or make me famous (Despite my personality, being in the spotlight and vulnerable is not exactly comfortable).

I’m doing it out of obedience to His leading, plain and simple, and with the prayer that God will use it to encourage, challenge, or at least amuse those who actually find it and read it.

I have no idea what God has planned for this blog, but I know He has a definite purpose that maybe only He can see and understand right now.

Hopefully someday I’ll look back at it all, seeing what He’s done, and say, “Wait…what? You did all that?”

 

Photos courtesy of my father-in-law and pixabay.

Going “Naked” at the Water Park

Life in Lape Haven: Going "Naked" at the Water Park - How Being a Mom Has Given Me More Confidence as a Woman. Summertime means water fun and swimsuits. Not most moms favorite attire. Moms, it's time we just forget our insecurities and dive into to having fun with our kids.

How Being a Mom Has Given Me

More Confidence as a Woman

Summertime is a wonderful season. The sunshine and warm temperatures mean my boys are eager for picnics, exploring parks, being outside morning until night, chasing fireflies, and playing in water whenever and wherever they can (Oh, look! A puddle!!! What? What do you mean, “Good clothes?”)

Of course, water and swimming mean swimsuits, which is fine when you’re a 2-year-old or 5-year-old kid. They’d be fine without changing into any swim appropriate attire (see “Puddle” above) or completely nude, if allowed (mine are not). But once most of us hit a certain age, maybe late tweens or early teens, swimwear, along with our outward appearance overall, become kind of a big deal, or rather, a big ordeal.

Life in Lape Haven: Going "Naked" at the Water Park - How Being a Mom Has Given Me More Confidence as a Woman. Summertime means water fun and swimsuits. Not most moms favorite attire. Moms, it's time we just forget our insecurities and dive into to having fun with our kids.

Now I know that there are those special few who are graced with a self-confidence impervious to mean kids or expectations of physical perfection promoted by the media. Kudos to them! I was never one of them. As a teenager and younger adult, I struggled with accepting how I looked, how I wanted to look, and the disparity between the two. And of course, doing what I could to help the situation.

I did not leave the house without my hair fixed or my makeup on. When anyone was coming over to my house, I was ready. Only people who I really knew or trusted, such as family or very close friends, have ever seen me bare-faced or flat-haired. I even had myself all presentable when I gave birth to my boys.

I never had too much of an issue with my weight or my body itself because I stayed active enough and was blessed with good genetics and a healthy metabolism. However, I did watch my diet and tried to exercise to ensure that it never was an issue.

Even marrying the sweetest, most adoring man, one who will adamantly proclaim my beauty and perfection to the world, hasn’t completely changed my self-esteem. He could tell me I’m pretty as I am, and I’d think, “That’s because you love me. Other people don’t.”

Then I had babies. If you think that made me feel better about myself physically, you’d be wrong, at least initially. Was I proud of what my body was able to do (with God’s help and divine design) when I carried and naturally delivered my babies? Absolutely. It was amazing. Precious. Miraculous.

But babies – They can wreak some havoc. Not only do you face weight gain, stretch marks, different boobs, and the knowledge that your body will never be exactly as it was before, but caring for a little one often means sleepless nights and shower-less days, among other things. Not many new mamas go around feeling super beautiful and attractive, at least not most days. As the children get a little older, the time you get to spend on yourself is still less and harder won than before the sweeties were in the picture.

But we love them in the picture. We do. We would never change that picture now. And so slowly, we grow accustomed to a new standard of what is acceptable in order to feel pretty and confident. (When you’ve not shaved in who knows how long, finally doing so is like a whole spa day!)

With more to worry about in our lives than some random stranger’s opinion of us, we can start to relax our comparisons of ourselves to others. When we start to focus on the little people who we love so much, we spend less time focused on ourselves. That’s very freeing.

Life in Lape Haven: Going Naked at the Water Park - Four cousins walking together at the water park

Then came this summer, and we got invited to a water park to celebrate my nephew’s fourth birthday.

First thought – water equals swimsuits. However, I’m fine with rocking the swim shorts and tankini after a few summers as a parent because I have two boys to keep up with, and I don’t want to be readjusting everything each time I move. I’ve learned that, as a mom, sometimes I need to be quicker than I am cute. Just like heels don’t work at the park, a more revealing, more-likely-to-move-around swimsuit isn’t practical for me. Plus, this suit is good to cover up those areas that have…um…changed since having children. It’s still a cute suit, though, so I can feel confident in it.


However, when I’m out and about, I dislike getting totally wet because of my hair and makeup hang-ups. My hair doesn’t look great wet. I mean, I know most people don’t look great with wet hair. Very few people come out of the water looking like the Little Mermaid, with that backlit flip of her gorgeous red locks that fall beautifully into place. Nope. We look like drowned rats. Or raccoons, if we’ve worn too much waterproof mascara, which is generally more water-resistant than waterproof. A tired mom with under-eye circles doesn’t need anything else darkening that area.

That’s why I usually let my husband do the heavy water stuff with my guys when we’re out in public. (You can’t put children in water without getting soaked.) I can better take pictures that way, too. However, for this particular day, he had to work.

It would just be me with my two boys. I knew what that meant – it was either all or nothing.

If I didn’t enter in to that day whole-heartedly and abandon my concerns with how I would look, especially when it was over, my boys might have an okay day, but none of us would have an awesome day.

Life in Lape Haven: Going Naked at the Water Park - Josiah going down a water slide

The morning of our adventure, I made a decision: vanity and self-consciousness were not going to keep me from enjoying my boys and their day to the absolute fullest. I pulled my hair into a ponytail, styled my bangs knowing they would be flat and parted by day’s end, and only applied foundation because of its high SPF (this pale girl burns easily).

Now makeup and hair styles may not be a difficulty for you. You may be able to flaunt your natural beauty without a second thought. But all of us have some area of vulnerability, something that we keep covered up rather than being completely, truly who we are. We fear judgment, rejection, or people misunderstanding us.

Fear, though, is a thief. It’s a lie. And it’s not of God. His Word clearly tells us that “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Does this mean that my fear of what people think of me, or any fear, is the end of my Christian walk? No, it just makes me human, and should, honestly, push me closer to God. Where else can I find my true worth and value? I’m important enough to Him that “every day of my life was recorded in (His) book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (Psalm 139:16) I can come to Him, baring my heart and completely stripped of pretense, with whatever vulnerability or flaw and find grace, love, healing, and acceptance. God knows who He created me to be, and by resting in His love for me (and that of my husband and boys), I can continue to become confident and free in who that is.

At the water park, I felt naked at first, aware of my less-than-my-standard appearance, but once we got to the park, and my boys saw the water, I knew being “bare” for them would be worth it. They didn’t care what I looked like as long as I was with them. And I didn’t really care what I looked like, as long as I was with them. I only hesitated for a second when my 5-year-old pulled me up onto the big kids’ giant play area, where water showers down continuously from all over, and you have no hope of coming out of it as anything less than drenched. I took a deep breath and dove through the torrent, holding onto my laughing, loving little boy’s hand as we headed to a water slide.

Life in Lape Haven: Going Naked at the Water Park - Elijah on a water slide

Get more ideas & encouragement from this real-life mom as I experience God’s faithfulness through the joy and chaos of motherhood.

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Photos courtesy of my sister-in-law, Carrie. Feature image courtesy of pixabay.

The Verse that Became My “Mommy Motto”

Life in Lape Haven: The Verse that Became My Mommy Motto

At some point last summer, after a day of answering every “why” question that my then 4-year-old could come up with and changing my toddler out of yet another soaked outfit (Is there a sippy cup that doesn’t leak? We have not found one), I began looking for a Bible verse or quote that would encourage me as a wife, mom, and person in those moments when I felt overwhelmed, ill-equipped, or just plain exhausted.

I had the perfect spot for this inspiration: a cute little chalkboard in my kitchen.

Any mom who has ever had to prepare a meal with one child crying and hanging on her leg while the other complains of being hungry (Can you not see what I’m doing? Do you not smell the chicken roasting in the oven?) knows that the kitchen can be a battle zone of frustration and patience worn thin at the end of the day.

Searching for an uplifting “something” to help me refocus in those crazy moments, I flipped through my Bible and searched online for a verse that was encouraging, simple…and short enough to fit on the chalkboard.

I looked for the word “joy” or “joyful” because in my heart, that’s the kind of mom and wife and person that I want to be. If I’m not diligent in guarding it, my joy can be the first victim of a rough day.

When I came across Romans 12:12, it was as though all the things I needed to be reminded of in my calling as “Mommy” and “Mrs.” were efficiently, concisely summed up for me in 10 little words. (God’s cool like that.)

It says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Joyful. Patient. Faithful. It’s become my “mommy motto.” 

Joyful in Hope

Being joyful seems as though it should be easy. I’m doing what I love – making a home for my family. I have funny, silly kids, who are smart, healthy, and imaginative. I have a hubby who loves us all and works hard to provide for us. All together we have a happy, loving home.

But as I said before, there are times when I can allow my joy to be stolen away – whiny children, disagreements with my husband, faulty expectations of perfection for myself. Parenting and marriage aren’t easy. If I don’t keep myself grounded in God’s Word and His presence, it can be even harder. After all, He is my hope. Trusting in His plans for me and His strength daily, I am reminded that my children (and husband) are truly gifts from God, given to me because He knew that with Him, I could be the mom (and wife) that they need.

 

Patient in Affliction

Okay, I’m not saying my family is an “affliction.” Far from it – they are a blessing. However, conflict, struggle, and potty training can test a mommy’s patience…especially potty training. Many of my days would have better outcomes if I allowed a little more understanding and patience to direct my words and actions. We all make mistakes, we are all flawed human beings, and we are all in the process of learning and growing, especially our children. Remembering how much patience God has with me, I know that I can strive to be a more patient girl, no matter how difficult or trying the circumstance.

 

Faithful in Prayer

I think that maybe this phrase should have been first on the list – as in, “Faithful in prayer, patient in affliction, and joyful in hope” – because our relationship with God is the foundation to everything in our life, and there is no relationship if you aren’t talking to and listening to Him daily, faithfully. My joy comes from time in His presence and resting in Him. My patience is strengthened when I have a real understanding of God’s grace and mercy toward me. If I’m not spiritually ready to face a day, I’m shooting myself in the foot.

Furthermore, I need to be faithful to cover my husband and children in prayer for God’s guidance and protection. That is one of my greatest responsibilities and privileges as a wife and mother. There is an enemy out there who wants “to steal, kill, and destroy,” and I am not going to take it lightly. I can take authority over strife or confusion or fear in our family rather than let the enemy’s plans succeed in our home.

Life in Lape Haven: The Verse that Became My Mommy Motto - Chalkboard with Romans 12:12 written on it

So that’s the verse I doodled out on my cute little chalkboard in the kitchen after a particularly trying day, and it’s been there, exactly as I wrote it out, for close to a year now.

Has this past year been smooth sailing, all rainbows and sunshine? Are my children perfectly behaved angels and my hubby never irritating and always chick-flick-hero perfect? Um, no.

But I know there are days that could have been horrible, disastrous even, had I not taken a second to remind myself of that verse and correct MY behavior, change MY perspective, or seek God for wisdom or intervention in MY situation.

Because God’s Word is never meant to change “them.” It’s always meant to change “me.”

 

What is your go-to verse for encouragement on tough days?

 

Get a free printable of this verse here!

 

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Trying & Tying: Teaching Our Kids to Do Hard Things

Life in Lape Haven: Trying & Tying - Elijah finally tied his shoelaces

If at first you don’t succeed, tie, tie again….

With Elijah starting kindergarten this fall, we’ve been working to prepare him for this important milestone. (Mommy might not be as ready, but that’s another story). We’ve talked about what to expect during his school day, how he should behave, what skills he should have, and we know he’s ready academically, thanks to his own intelligence and his lessons on ABCMouse.com.

However, one of his biggest struggles has been learning to tie his shoes. It seemed simple enough when we started teaching him a few months ago. He had the incentive of needing to know before he went to school, and we knew he had the capability both mentally and physically. So, why is it that just last week he finally got it?

The reason was annoyingly simple (Extra annoying because I KNEW what the problem was): He didn’t want to TRY.

Life in Lape Haven: Trying & Tying - Elijah tying his shoelaces

That was it. He stubbornly refused to attempt to tie his shoes, at least without a big to-do about how hard it was. Every time he had to put shoes on, his first defense was to announce that he wanted to wear his flip-flops. When that got shot down because of the weather (rain and flip-flops don’t mix well) or the amount of walking we’d be doing (flip-flops aren’t great for hikes in the woods), he went to either “I don’t know how, so it’ll save time if YOU do it for me” (nice try) or straight to “I don’t want to.” (Our favorite) Fun.

It wasn’t as if Brad and I were being tyrants about it, punishing him for not getting it perfect or never helping him. Nope. I had shown him – slowly – many, many, many times, and he knew how to do the initial single tie part, where you cross the laces, flip one under the other, and pull it tight. He’d actually been doing that himself for several months whenever he put on his shoes. If he ever actually attempted to finish tying the laces, we gave him help when he got stuck.

But ask him to keep trying or practicing, and a battle ensued. Every time.

Then finally last week, the heavens opened, and angels sang “The Hallelujah Chorus.” At the end of that day’s battling, Elijah managed to finish tying his shoe without any help whatsoever. He went from a grumpy, obstinate boy to a glowing, proud, capable boy in an instant.

He smiled at me and said, “Now I don’t have to be whiney or complain anymore!”

My response was, “Wow. Good job. I’m proud of you. But you know, you didn’t HAVE to be whiney or complain, even before you could tie your shoes. You CHOSE to.” He gave me a sheepish smile and nodded, “Yeah, I know.”

It would be easy (VERY easy) to be frustrated at that kind of reply if I didn’t realize how incredibly human it was.Life in Lape Haven: Trying & Tying - Elijah working to tie his shoelaces

We’ve all acted that way at some point and probably more often than we’d care to admit. If we have a task where we are faced with the possibility of failure or not knowing exactly what we’re doing or having to exert more effort to accomplish it, we’re tempted to not even bother. We’ll use lots of excuses and be disagreeable or whiney in the process. Of course, once we conquer that something difficult, everything’s sunshine and happiness.

The thing I kept stressing to Elijah was that he’ll face lots of hard things in life and avoiding them doesn’t make them disappear. I’ve always told my boys, “I don’t want you to tell me, ‘I can’t.’ I want you to say, ‘I tried.’” You may not accomplish your goal on the first attempt – in fact, you probably won’t. But until you actually try, you never, ever will.

I want him to realize that the quickest way to get past something hard is to try, then try again, and then keep trying. We all know “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” and “practice makes perfect.” We know that, but the DOING of it is where we struggle.

And as Christians, I think we should really be killing it on “doing hard things.” Why? Because we have the very Spirit of God living inside us, the Spirit who raised Christ from the dead! Talk about a hard thing…oh, wait. “With God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

Remember, Philippians 4:13, says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (I repeated this verse over and over during both un-medicated deliveries of my boys because labor is hard…yes, worth it – but HARD.)

In addition, since we know that God is helping us to do whatever it is that we are facing, we don’t have to be whiney or complaining about it. We really don’t. For one, that gives no glory to God, and let’s be honest, it doesn’t make us look good, either.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21) Saying over and over again, “I can’t,” “This is too hard,” “I’ll never get it,” will not help you accomplish a hard task. It will only make facing that task more miserable.

Life in Lape Haven: Trying & Tying - Elijah's tied shoelaces

So we each have a choice: Face hard things bravely and with the determination to do our best and rely on God to help us succeed (or at least to have made a tremendous effort); or sit back, complain, and never come close to succeeding.

This might seem like a lot to expect a 5-year-old to understand and get from learning to tie his shoes, but I know he can, just like we can – if we trust God and TRY.

RELATED POSTS:

Embracing the Moments of “Mommy Sadness”

Trusting God Through Kindergarten

Why Our Child Goes to Public School

 

What I Learned (or was reminded of) at VBS

What I Learned (or was reminded of) at VBS - Life in Lape Haven. Serving and teaching at our church's vacation Bible school is always a blessing, but it's also a lot of time and effort. One year we were reminded of how even our smallest contributions in ministering to these little children is important.

For the last few years, Brad and I have had the honor of ministering to all the precious little hearts during our church’s annual Vacation Bible School. We absolutely love it, even though it makes for a busy week (and few weeks beforehand with prep and decorating, honestly).

The below post was originally written in 2015, after a great week of fun and ministry at our VBS. I like to revisit this one every year right before a new vacation Bible school begins, just to remind myself of why we put all the time, effort, and love into these quick few days each summer.

What I Learned (or was reminded of) at VBS - Life in Lape Haven. Serving and teaching at our church's vacation Bible school is always a blessing, but it's also a lot of time and effort. One year we were reminded of how even our smallest contributions in ministering to these little children is important.

WHAT I LEARNED (or was reminded of) AT VBS

Our theme this year was “Thailand Trek,” which allowed the children to experience a different culture and learn about how God loves all of us, no matter where we live or what we look like.

What I Learned (or was reminded of) at VBS: Kishona and Brad

Brad and I were in charge of teaching the preschool groups in their “Bible Adventure” sessions. If you know anything about 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds, you know that every day was a true “adventure” for us just keeping their attention and responding to those random questions and answers that children like to throw out. (Best, most random answer this week was when we were talking about the best gift that was ever given. I asked the kids what they thought it might be, and one little guy replied, “A mustache!” Haha. The actual answer is Jesus, by the way)

Having worked in children’s ministry in some way, shape, or form since junior high (It’s kind of my heart), and since I’m one of the regular Sunday school teachers for the preschool class, I did the actual teaching while my husband worked alongside me as my assistant. He’s wonderful that way, and he’s gotten pretty good at anticipating where I need him next. He’s my echo when I’m teaching a new verse or rhyme, he makes a great prop manager and effects guy, and he’s never embarrassed to be silly or goofy with the kids. Together, we make a rather good team.

At the end of each night of VBS, we gathered all the preschool groups into the main room for a closing session of a few songs and review while we waited for parents to arrive and pick up their children. I stayed near the front with the other preschool leaders, singing with the kids and greeting parents, and Brad was in the back of the room, running the sound.

The first three days went really, really well. While our days were a bit more hectic than usual, the joy of serving and seeing children respond to the love of God and the love of all the volunteers definitely made it beyond worth it.

The last night of Thailand Trek, our family had a half-hour before we needed to be out the door to get to church when Brad and I realized that Josiah was sick, mostly because he threw up all over himself, his bed, and Brad.

Knowing that I had to teach, Brad agreed to stay home with Josiah. I was sad leaving two of my guys behind and disappointed that they wouldn’t get to be there for the last day of VBS.

What I Learned (or was reminded of) at VBS: Elijah

At the start of each class I let the kids know that “Mr. Brad” had to stay home because our littlest boy was sick, and for the most part they accepted it, and we continued on with our lesson. However, one little boy’s response was one of the best lessons of the week.

When he heard that Brad wasn’t there, his expression clouded with genuine concern, and he asked, “But who will do our music?”

I glanced to their group leaders, who had the same reaction that I did – we were surprised, encouraged, and humbled at the same time.

Realizing that this little boy noticed the person who ran the sound every evening for the final session in the noisy, chaotic preschool class, even though no one ever brought attention to that fact, reinforced to our hearts that every little thing we did to make this VBS happen, it mattered. It was important. And it was noticed and appreciated.


Looking at the group leaders who’d corralled as many as 10 energetic children from activity to activity four nights in a row, I hoped they knew that this time of pouring themselves out for these children wasn’t in vain. I thought about the ladies who faithfully ran the registration every day, keeping track of all the children who’d come through the doors, and those volunteers tucked away in the kitchens, plating hundreds of “Thai Treats” for hungry children who would never even see them. Imagining the mess our kids made of snacks and crafts, I know there were people coming in after all the children were on their way home or the next morning, straightening, tidying, and making things ready for the next onslaught of fun.

I was privileged to be a part of this giving team. A team who did whatever was asked of them to create a memorable week for so many children and show them God’s love in so many different ways.

There are a number of scriptures that come to mind at this point: “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me” (Mark 9:37), “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23), “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12), and “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 6:10).

What I Learned (or was reminded of) at VBS: LIttle People

One little guy reminded us that God saw and was blessed by everything we gave in His name – every hug, snack, helping hand, and silly act.

And the children, who we could barely get to sit still sometimes, were paying way more attention than we thought, too.

 

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