Planting Seeds

Working in Children’s ministry is a lot of, well…work.

Sometimes it gets frustrating when we put a lot of time and effort in and don’t see kids confess their sins and become baptized.

We teach about the Bible stories to give them a background rooted in truth and things to hide in their hearts for later. We visit parents, agonize over the perfect way to present a lesson, collect craft supplies…and we enjoy it.

But sometimes, we just want to see our little kiddos walk up that church aisle and lay it all out for Jesus.

We’re human, after all. We like instant gratification.

The trick is to not let our wants eclipse what God is using our service for… planting seeds.

Now, I’ll admit that on occasion, I would throw myself a big ol’ pity party.

I’d feel like I wasn’t good enough of a teacher. I’d think maybe I should change the way I taught.

Or the crafts. I mean, if I would have had the kids learn to quill Jonah and the big fish instead of Noah’s Ark, they woulda all jumped up and got saved, right?

I loved those kids, and I still think about and pray for them to this day. It wasn’t that I didn’t love them enough.

It was that God had a plan and I would sometimes just get tired of not seeing the result of that plan.

But do you know what I’ve come to realize?

I may never know what happens in some of those kids’ lives. I may hear things through family, or see on Facebook, but I may be dead and gone before they see the fruition of the seeds I helped to plant.

I was probably one person in a long line of people God put in those kids’ lives.

For some, I was the first to tell them about the wonders of the Bible, Jesus’ love, and even the corny jokes.

For others, I was the second or third, or even tenth person in their lives who shared the joys and trials in the Bible with them.

I’m ashamed to say that it took me years to figure that out.

I mean, I knew it. I guess I just didn’t have it sorted out in my mind yet.

Until that one Sunday when I had been feeling down. I had an especially active kid in class that morning. In Sunday school, I had her sit in my lap and let her play with my necklace during story time. It was very distracting to me.

I tried to have everything I’d say memorized and practiced beforehand because I’m highly distractible myself. I kept getting off track.

During Children’s Church, I was teaching an object lesson and I let her be my helper to keep her occupied. Of course, then all the kids wanted to be my helpers lo

lThings didn’t go as planned but we got through it.

I literally had said (in my mind),” Lord, I do all this work just to be a babysitter to these kids. I have my own kids to babysit. You know that, right? Does any of this even matter besides I usually enjoy it?”

I talk to God like that sometimes. I figure I might as well tell Him. He knows I’m feeling that way anyhow and it makes me feel better to know I can talk to Him.

Well, anyway, I was up in the lobby of the church and I was talking to some grown ups. I can’t remember what was being said, but I was trying to recall the Chapter and verse in the middle of the Bible.

I started to say it, but it went right out of my mind. I said, “I promise I know this. In fact, I used to tell my class about it all the time!”

Right then, a voice behind me recited the chapter verse and text. Then he said, “ I can’t believe you don’t have that memorized, Ms. Kelli!”

It was a student that had moved away a few years before. He had come back to visit but I was already in the back when he arrived.

That’s exactly what I needed.

God showed me a little glimpse of what I was helping Him do.

Hide His word in the hearts of His children.

I’m not called to be a great leader or a perfect teacher.

I’m called to plant seeds.

It’s better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118:8

(not the middle of the Bible)

Until next time, take care of the people you love and don’t forget to make a few memories worth telling.

Grab a cup of coffee and stay a while ☕…

A few more stories you may like are coming soon

What was Jesus Like?

Children’s Church Trivia pt 2

The House ( family stories, gatherings and humor)

Are you hungry 🍴…

A few recipes you may like are coming soon

Easy Fruit Cobbler

Easter Story Cookies

Zesty Sloppy Joe’s

Pull up a chair 🪑…

Around here, stories are meant to be shared. Do you have a story about a life lesson you’ve learned? Or God’s perfect timing? I’d love to hear about it!