A few months ago, a request went out at church for volunteers for children’s ministry. When I heard this request, I looked around the church to see who was going to come forward and volunteer. Because I knew it couldn’t possibly be me. After all, God gave me one child for a very good reason . . . I’m not good with children. But God kept prompting me to volunteer. And as is all too common for me, I tried to pretend I didn’t hear Him. But He wouldn’t let it go and so I finally gave in and volunteered.
When I filled out the application, one of the questions asked what Spiritual gifts I have that might help me in this ministry. I felt that I should be completely honest so I wrote that I honestly didn’t know what gifts I had that would help me to work with children and, in fact, I was pretty sure that God had me confused with someone else. I thought for sure that would close the door to this ministry for me. But it did not. They must have been desperate for volunteers because I was immediately called to duty.
On my first Sunday I discovered that I was assigned to be in the room with the “walkers” ~ two and three year olds. That seemed pretty good to me because at this age, they couldn’t talk back. I went into the classroom very nervous and prayed the whole morning that God would help me with this task. God must have been sleeping in that morning because this experience did not start out well at all. The first child, Isabella, came to me screaming. I had to pry her fingers off her mother’s shirt to get her in the classroom. This was not good. I took Isabella and tried to distract her with all the cool toys that are in the room. Thankfully, she calmed down pretty quickly.
The second child to come in, Roman, was even more upset than Isabella was. Roman came to me crying so hard that he was hiccupping. Great, big heaving sobs were coming from that poor child. He was not happy one little bit. And he was not easily distracted. As other children came in, I had to continue to hold Roman and walk around so that he wouldn’t scream. He kept crying but, thankfully, he was no longer screaming. And thankfully eventually two helpers came into the room to help with the other children. Of course, during this time I prayed the normal prayers: “God, please help me calm this child.” “God, please tell me what to do.” “God, I could use some help here!!!” Finally I prayed, “God, please give this child courage to be away from his parents.” BAM! He stopped crying. (Yeah, I know! It was a great prayer. I will use it often. Feel free to use it too.)
And then, the fun began!!! After Roman calmed down, we were able to get on the floor and play. And, man, did I have a great time. It was awesome!!!! Children that age think everything is so cool. The simplest things thrill them. Bouncing a large beach ball as high as it will go is amazing to them. Pretending Elmo is talking lights up their faces. There is this toy in the room that looks like the front door to a house. It has a door that swings open, a porch light that goes on and off and a doorbell that rings. It’s a really cool toy. At one point two of the boys were on one side of the door and I was on the other. They would open the little slot for the mailbox and I’d put my hand in there. Then they would open it again and my hand would be gone. They thought that was the best trick ever. And it filled my heart with joy every time I saw them smile and heard them laugh.
This must be how God feels when we delight in something He does. When even the simplest things like a butterfly or the warmth of the sun can thrill us, God’s heart must swell with joy. When I breathe deeply to smell fresh cut grass or rain, I bet God smiles with pleasure. I wonder if He created such beautiful things just so He could see the joy and excitement on our faces. I wonder if God created these things not just for our pleasure but for His too.
I think God created beautiful things on earth to remind us of His love. Jeremiah 31:3 says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.” An “everlasting love.” That means it never ends. No matter how hard our life may be, no matter how sad or lonely we may feel, we can be assured that God is there and that He will always, always love us.
When I was playing with those precious children in the nursery, not only was I reminded of God’s delight in us, I was also reminded that He will always give us what we need when He asks us to do something. Even when He asks us to do something that seems ridiculous and impossible, He will provide us with just what we need, right when we need it. The children of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years. It must have been hot, tiring, and not a fun place to be. It was hard work. But God provided them manna from heaven, a cloud by day to keep them cool and a fire by night to light their way.
In looking back over the last several years of my life, I’m pretty sure I’ve been wandering in the desert. And I realize that God has given me so many things to help me on my journey. He’s given me a peaceful house of my own and wonderful friends to fill my heart. He has provided for me so that I can pay my bills and go on an occasional vacation. And He has given me three pretend “husbands.” One helps me make electronic decisions like which TV to buy. This husband also helped me when it came time to refinance my house. I also have a husband who helped me when my window was literally falling out of my house. And then there is the husband who helps me with my car. As I’ve wandered in the desert, God has provided all sorts of things to help me along the way. And just when I think I can’t take this journey anymore, He has given me the strength and the courage to keep going.
When life is good, it is easy to see God and know He is there. But we can have confidence that even in the darkest times, when things don’t seem to be going the way we thought they would or when we’re wandering around in the desert thinking we’re lost, God is there for us. He never, ever leaves us. In Hebrews 13:5 God assures us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” And again in Philippians 4:20 we are reminded that “God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
God loves YOU!!! He takes great delight in YOU! He will never leave you. He will provide for you. So show Him today how much you delight in HIM.
Remember: “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:19
Precious Father, we thank You for the simple things in life that delight us. Things like butterflies, beautiful flowers, the sound of thunder and the smell of rain. Thank You for giving us these things that bring such joy to us when times are good and especially when things don’t seem to be going the way we would like them to. We praise You for the wonderful things You give us each day. Thank You for stretching our faith by asking us to do things that we don’t think we can do. Thank You, Father, for always being with us and for lighting our way in the desert. We delight in You. And we are so grateful that You delight in us. Amen ~robin
1 comment:
Thank you for the awesome blooming orchid that is Robin
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