Kids Camp is over...
Grace Kids Camp is officially over and as we prepare to head over to the church for their Family Fun Night, I can't help but think of all the wonderful things that happened this week. We had just had a sermon series on "Reluctant Leaders" and I am afraid I became one as the week went on. Not exactly because I didn't want to be there, but I was exhausted. And since my group was all 4-year-old boys, I wondered if I could really make a difference. Well, leave it up to God, but today He showed me how much serving truly isn't about me. It isn't about me changing their lives, it is about God changing their lives. God just needed me to be His servant and He would do the rest. These little boys were able to show that to me today.
I was struggling to capture their attention during their small group study time, like usual. This was the hardest time for them because it was 20 minutes of review of the days' story and a prayer. Today's review talked about how to be a special agent for God and the five things we needed to learn to become a Level 5 Special Agent. (Remember this is a spy kids-type theme.) I knew I was loosing them and trying to read my script fast. Then it happened. I told the kids how much God loved them and that they too could live a life for God by asking Him to be their special friend. As I looked up at the boys, they each just stared at me with their undivided attention. I know this was heaven-sent because this didn't happen at all during the week. I continued to tell them how God forgives our sins and gives us strength, courage and wisdom each day. Again, their eyes are on me. We concluded with a prayer where we thanked God for each of them. We completed their Secret Agent Badges promoting them to Level 5 Agents and one of the boys said "Ms. Cheryl, does God forgive us every time we do something wrong?" I told Him that He does and that was why Jesus died on the cross. He looked at me with wide-eyes. Something in me knows that God was speaking to his little heart.
Of course, the moment ended and we went back to karate-chopping our neighbors and coloring on our pants. (Yes, one kid today wrote his name on his pants today with crayon. Perfect!). I suppose in the end, I realized several things. One is that boys scare the poo our of me. They are very different creatures and I am nervous about the day God would bless us with on of these little goblins of our own. And two, that God speaks to all ages. And children somehow get what adults have so much trouble comprehending. It reminds me of that verse in the Bible that tells us to come to God like children. I get that - the awe, the wonder, the belief.
Our group time ended in hugs today, a gift from these boys that meant the world to me.
Both of the girls had an amazing time as well. Avery and I have been singing the songs in the car and practicing the motions at home. She is my little movie star. And Mia has won the heart of her care-takers. It now seems like the entire church knows her. When we walk down the hall, everyone says hi to little Mia, which embarassed her terribly. They did send me this cute picture of the toddler group. Can't miss our little Mia.
I was struggling to capture their attention during their small group study time, like usual. This was the hardest time for them because it was 20 minutes of review of the days' story and a prayer. Today's review talked about how to be a special agent for God and the five things we needed to learn to become a Level 5 Special Agent. (Remember this is a spy kids-type theme.) I knew I was loosing them and trying to read my script fast. Then it happened. I told the kids how much God loved them and that they too could live a life for God by asking Him to be their special friend. As I looked up at the boys, they each just stared at me with their undivided attention. I know this was heaven-sent because this didn't happen at all during the week. I continued to tell them how God forgives our sins and gives us strength, courage and wisdom each day. Again, their eyes are on me. We concluded with a prayer where we thanked God for each of them. We completed their Secret Agent Badges promoting them to Level 5 Agents and one of the boys said "Ms. Cheryl, does God forgive us every time we do something wrong?" I told Him that He does and that was why Jesus died on the cross. He looked at me with wide-eyes. Something in me knows that God was speaking to his little heart.
Of course, the moment ended and we went back to karate-chopping our neighbors and coloring on our pants. (Yes, one kid today wrote his name on his pants today with crayon. Perfect!). I suppose in the end, I realized several things. One is that boys scare the poo our of me. They are very different creatures and I am nervous about the day God would bless us with on of these little goblins of our own. And two, that God speaks to all ages. And children somehow get what adults have so much trouble comprehending. It reminds me of that verse in the Bible that tells us to come to God like children. I get that - the awe, the wonder, the belief.
Our group time ended in hugs today, a gift from these boys that meant the world to me.
Both of the girls had an amazing time as well. Avery and I have been singing the songs in the car and practicing the motions at home. She is my little movie star. And Mia has won the heart of her care-takers. It now seems like the entire church knows her. When we walk down the hall, everyone says hi to little Mia, which embarassed her terribly. They did send me this cute picture of the toddler group. Can't miss our little Mia.
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