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Learn, Share, Listen & Love


    

 A couple weeks ago, we had a special service at our church.  Usually, the kids would go into their own class or kids church, but my husband felt strongly about allowing the usual kids leaders time to be with the other adults for this special service, so guess who was volunteered to be with the kids? 

    Actually, I'm not even sure if my husband volunteered me, or if I volunteered myself, or if it was just understood that I would do it... it just happened, and I was totally ok with it.  

    At least until the day before the midweek service.  I knew what I'd be teaching on, I had my outline, my game, an activity, a back-up activity in case I needed it, AND a song to start out with.  But despite all that, I started getting soooooo anxious about it.

    It has been YEARS since I've taught littles at church.  I was a youth leader by myself for a while about ten years ago....before that I taught a Sunday school class of teens for several years...the last time I taught kids under the age of thirteen...without help... was probably 25 years ago or more!

    And these kids....Oh, I *love* seeing them on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, running to give me sweaty hugs and telling me about what they learned from their normal teachers, or what they found on the playground (usually gross things).  They love finding "Pastor Jerry" and giving him hugs and telling him all kinds of things about their week.

    They can be the absolute SWEETEST things each week for those 3-5 minutes I get with them before their attention is captured by something else.

    Yes, those tiny flashes of time hearing their loud, excited voices are definitely some of the highlights of my week.

    But to spend almost an hour with them...by myself...trying to hold their attention... all while their very loud, very energetic, and very bouncy selves are shut up in a small (OK, not that small) room while their parents are having a revival service?

    I had one child, who is now twenty years old.  No, he wasn't perfect, but he was very respectful and quiet (most of the time).  We never had to worry about behavioral issues or hyperactive responses with him.  He was (and is) very intelligent, and caught on to things quickly and was really kind of a Sunday school superstar (he got it from his Daddy).  

    Now, twenty years later and lots less energy later, I'm volunteering to help a group of kids who have more energy and even hyperactivity than I probably would after a latte and an energy drink.   And there are LOTS of boys...loud, energetic, sweaty, stinky, LOUD, body-noise loving, little boys.  Did I mention they can be loud?

    I was absolutely convinced that I'd come out of that room very Lazarus-esque...tied up with toilet paper and yarn, with all sorts of Crayola Washable Marker "tattoos" and drawings all over me, wild-eyed and swearing off ever doing children's ministry again!

    And guess what happened?

    It was VERY LOUD.  It was VERY wild.  It was VERY energetic.  And there was lots of yelling and singing and jumping and bouncing and laughing and gleeful squealing...

    And we all survived!

    Sure, there were some tears from one adorable little, and stern encouragement to get back with the class from one "Mama Tabby"...but I can honestly look back and know that those kids learned some of God's word and even had fun to boot.  

    Why am I telling you this? Because your church needs someone to come in and put their nervousness and their "oh that gives me anxiety" aside so that the kids of your church can spend time learning the word of the Lord on their level.  Maybe you're not cut out to teach kids regularly, but I bet you can handle one service to give someone a break....or make sure the kids have a safe place to experience the love of Jesus in a way they'll remember.  

    I promise, working with kids isn't as bad as you think.  (Well, most of the time.) For our church, most off the kids have a good or decent home-life.  But I've been in places where you knew that the only time certain kids felt any sort of pure, loving attention was at the church.  And unfortunately, sometimes even the kids you think don't need it, are the ones who need that support the most.  

    So, please - volunteer with your local church's kid ministry.  You don't have to know everything about the Bible to teach them one story at a time.  You just have to be willing to learn and share...then, listen and love.  

    And if you're like me, you'll sleep a LOT better the night after you lead the kids' class!

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