praying for kiddos

This is my final installment of my "sharing" about my year in BSF.  This is a list I kept close as I prayed for the kiddos in my class--and my own kids.

I would take one prompt and pray for all of them or use it during the day in the classroom as I got one-on-one time.  I'm sure it came from the manual somewhere.... or maybe one of the home training lessons.

I'd pray--and you can too:

• For a deeper understanding of God
• For recognition that God desires a relationship with them (individually, uniquely)
• For salvation or assurance of salvation
• For a passion for God's Word
• For a faith that is their OWN, not their parent nor some other influential Christian in their life
• That they would have a growing concern for the spiritual growth of others
• That they would witness to their family and community

These were specific for our lessons, but you can let your own bible study point you to what you should pray for your kids:

• For understanding of a specific attribute of God from that week's lesson
• Using a verse or principle from that week's Scripture passage
• For a clear understanding of the main truth from that week

Be intentional and PRAY for the little humans God has appointed for you to invest in (whether they are related to you by blood or not). 

The enemy HATES children.  Just look at the assault on children, from abortion to trafficking to the way they are viewed as inconveniences, less valuable, and second-class citizens (even in the church where "it's JUST children's ministry, any warm body will do" attitude is common).  Who do you think gave those ancient cultures ideas about child sacrifice?  I won't begin to list the modern-day altars at which children and their care are being sacrificed....

That will be something for another day...

For now, realize that the data shows that the majority of people come to saving faith before the age of 14.  Children matter. 

Please pray.

the gift of teaching children

Also wanted to flesh out a thought that came to me Wednesday morning.

I've had the gift of a fifth layer at BSF. 

If you are familiar with the structure of BSF, we have a four-layer approach to studying God's Word.  First, we take the passage and spend time on our own--just God's Word and God's Holy Spirit, with us, in the quiet, with the questions.  He has shown me, gently where I need a course correction, or perhaps given me encouragement, sometimes even a rebuke.  I find it's best when I take my time between sections and really meditate.

Second, ,we come on Mondays (that is when leaders discuss) with women who are committed to learning and digging and applying truth to their lives.  I get to discuss what I've learned--and hear from others.  What a precious gift!  I love Mondays!  I love that God gives me a community of women to grow in knowledge and in obedience.

Third, we hear a lecture on the same passage.  My dear friend and teaching leader spends her own time in private study and with us in discussion and then vulnerably and humbly depends on God to show her what our class needs.  I am always challenged to apply the lessons from the scripture.  I have had to develop as an auditory learner in the last six years in the Children's Program since I don't see the lecture live, but that has also been a gift to be able to expand other learning opportunities through podcasts, etc.

The fourth layer is the notes provided by BSF.  These are full of insight and scripture and even convicting questions and observations. Sometime we get background that helps explain concepts since we are asked that we don't go outside of the passage of scripture (to other commentary or sermons) until this step.  God is faithful to show me directly, personally, uniquely.  I don't doubt that He gives teacher and preachers and authors insight, but the growth that has happened because I learn first hand has been amazing.

In the course of all of this, I also got to prepare to teach my kiddos.  So I got a children's story that gave us a main truth to focus on and then gave a suggestion for how to teach preschool children.  This was a HUGE gift in understanding my adult lesson.  I have loved getting to distill those big and sometimes complicated lessons to something that is the essence of what a passage is teaching.  And most amazingly, those are the seeds that take root in my heart.

We often see in the Bible that we are told to become like little children.  That is when we are teachable and not jaded and simple-minded and able to really grasp these things.    No one can take what I've learned and depth at which I've learned it because of my time in the Children's Program at BSF.

If you have preschool children, teach them God's Word.  They can learn so much!  And if you can, take them to BSF where they WILL be taught truth from God's word.  And if you ever have the opportunity to serve in the Children's Program, take it!  You will never regret learning God's Word like this.

Follow and Don't GO

This year I am following a Bible reading plan that has me reading in four sections of the Bible on any given day; currently Matthew, Acts, Psalms, Genesis.  I did the New Testament sections this morning and was struck by something.

In Matthew, Jesus is starting to call His disciples, specifically Peter and Andrew.  He utters the famous, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

How many times has that passage been used to show that following Jesus is about leaving what you're doing and following Him?  I know I've seen it multiple times in recent years.  It is not a bad message.  Something radical shifts when we "FOLLOW" Jesus.

But before I could gloss over the all-too-familiar passage, God brought to mind another encounter Jesus had with someone who was radically changing their life and NOT literally and physically following Jesus' footsteps.

I've spent quite a bit of time in Luke 19 in the last few months in preparation for our church's annual missions conference.  Our theme is "engage," taken from the instructions left to the servants of the nobleman in the parable of the ten minas.

Why was Jesus telling this parable?  Well, right before He shares this parable, we get to meet Zacchaeus, a tax collector.  A chief tax collector, nonetheless.

Jesus sees Zacchaeus, beckons him to come down from the tree and then has dinner with him.

Zacchaeus promises to make restitution to those he (likely) defrauded and to give money to the poor. Jesus replies, "Today salvation has come to this house."  Zacchaeus has become a "follower" of Jesus.

Of course, Jesus' critics grumble.  That is when Jesus replies with the parable.

Jesus tells them how a master has gone away and left ten servants to conduct business on his behalf, using his money.  When the master returns, two servants present varying degrees of profit, yet both receive praise.  A third servant has done NOTHING with the master's investment and is thus left with nothing, stripped of the responsibility and of any reward.

I didn't go searching for references, but there were other times when Jesus did not let people follow Him--instead sending them to the temple, or back to family.

As I pondered that fresh look at the Matthew passage, I went over to Acts.  Where we read about hurt-feelings and resentment about how the widows were being treated.  The apostles essentially pointed out that they should not neglect the word of God to take care of this administrative matter.  Then they passed on that responsibility to others.

Here again I saw that believers, "followers" of Jesus are given different jobs.  I love when a passage of Scripture sheds light on another passage!

There are different callings.  Believers are uniquely prepared to do the work God has ordained for them.  And they are all needed for the whole to function.  The apostles could not continue to do their work if the church had continued in the path toward fracture.

That is still the case today.  We are each called to "follow" Jesus be exercising the gifts and abilities and passions that He has given us.  Maybe a closer, intimate walk with Jesus is needed to prepare for teaching and preaching, for shepherding of fellow believer.  Or perhaps staying in our job and exercising integrity and generosity.  We are ALL needed for the whole to function.

He gives us gifts--and we get to use them for His glory, for growing His kingdom.  Because like the master from the parable of Luke 19, Jesus IS coming back. Soon.

What gifts has He given you for use in this season?  How are you using them for His glory?

Show and tell: Knowing God's Word so that I can do my job

I've been telling myself I need to do the things I know I should be doing.  Primarily, studying God's Word more.  And being more diligent in prayer.

Recently, I was telling a friend how I was feeling defeated because I wasn't studying God's Word enough.  I am not sure what "enough" even means.  

And that's when I finally realized it.

I had somewhere come to a place where I was dismissing the time I spend each week preparing to teach the babies at Bible study.  I work through my own lesson and then meditate on the portion that will then be taught to the kids.  

Sometimes I hear it in various translations.  Or I transcribe part of it.  I look for our Hero:  Jesus and how to make sure the sentences I choose to use with them are rich and full of Him.  I have no time to spend precious moments telling them about details of a story that may serve to distract them.

It really is an amazing gift to distill it down to precious truth about God, about Jesus, about how He is the Hero.

This process each week is imprinting God's Word into MY heart and mind.  This has been the process for a few years now.  And I treasure what He has done--how He has used the time in His Word to transform me.

I am in His Word.  And I see the evidence.  And the enemy of my soul can take back his accusation because I'm not buying it anymore.  There is no condemnation!!!

This year has been even more precious since I have the youngest group.  Their response is their attention.  I can't ask if they understood--I can only pray and trust.  And be faithful and obedient.

So I learn God's Word.  I tuck it deep into my heart so that I can recite it whenever I have the chance.

I typically craft eight to nine sentences.  Carefully choosing simple language--and no pronouns!  Then deciding on which images I want to use to help them focus on me and the few words I will sow.  

Each week I pray for them by name, that their hearts are being prepared by God.  Only He can do that--only He prepares hearts and opens eyes.  I trust Him to do that.  So much freedom!

Then each Wednesday morning, when the moment is ripe, and they are happy and satisfied, and the morning tears have subsided, we sing:

Do you know what time it is?

What time it is?

What time it is?

Do you know what time it is?

It's Bible story time.

or we chant:

Absolutely true

Absolutely true

Everything the Bible says is

Absolutely true

and we pray.

And out go the seeds for the day.  Then we love and rock and sing to babies.  And if any were sleeping when the story was shared, they get a private encore.  

And we trust the they feel Jesus' love and peace in that room.  And we pray for mommas who are themselves receiving precious truths into their hearts.  

I love how God is allowing me to serve this year.  It is a gift to me.  Because as I am being equipped to show and tell what God is pouring into me, I am being transformed.

Each Wednesday I am poured out, and I am tired, and yet I am full and so very energized.  

What a privilege!

Thank you, Lord, for showing me the better way--the way of trust and surrender to your timing. Thank you for growing my dependence on you, for giving me the grace to surrender the need to see any results and simply trust you with the sowing of seeds of truth.  Thank you that I have been delivered from the shackles of performance and script and frustration over plans gone awry.  Please keep me from looking to others for approval or validation.  Keep me from thinking I can do this job on my own strength--keep my eyes on you and your moment-by-moment enabling.  Thank you that because of Jesus you hear the desires of my heart.

Dear Young Me

Time does fly.

There is much I don't remember about when my kids were little.  But there are things that are so vivid--maybe because I still deal with them.

Like the feeling of uselessness. Am I making a difference?  Is it worth it that I am staying home with my kids and not plugging away at that job? Did I waste my time getting that degree?  Who am I?


Dear Young Me:

You ARE doing something that makes the biggest difference to those little people that take you for granted.  It's only because they don't quite realize yet that you are not a part of them.  Their self-involved little mind that is only thinking of themselves actually includes you--they are learning where they end and you begin.

That's why they panic when they're missing a part of their body--YOU are part of them!  Wonder why they say "Da-da" first?  Because they're not talking to themselves yet!  

One day, they will realize you are another person, and they won't cry when you drop them off at the church nursery.  They will still be self-involved, but then you will be on the outside.  So, it sounds strange,but enjoy the separation anxiety.  One day you'll realize that they didn't even wave when you left.

But now, because you're attached at the hip, it is hard to find a spare moment to think, to learn, to be still and quiet.  But if you make the effort and guard any time you can grab to study God's Word, it will make you a better momma--please don't wait!  NOW is the best time.  Whatever your season, it's the best time.  Because God's Word has the medicine you need to fight the despair and the feelings of uselessness and the anxiety about doing things right and not screwing up your kids.  The medicine is TRUTH!  Please weigh very carefully any advice on being a better mom that does not include being in God's Word.

God's Word is where you will learn that your value has nothing to do with that job you prepared for, that dangled the carrot of partner, that promised to put a few letters behind your name, that gave you immense ego-soothing.  Your worth also has nothing to do with  how many words your kid can say or if you breastfed or used the right baby products.  It has EVERYTHING to do with the fact that you are a child of God--His because He made you, but His twice as much because He redeemed you.

And that Great, Big, Awesome, Powerful God did not trade the life of His Son for someone who isn't valuable--rather, He died for YOU.  And that makes you precious.  And there's more!  That Great, Big, Awesome, Powerful God has put you exactly where you are, given you the exact kids you have--you are the best mom for them.  God does not make mistakes.

And He doesn't give you work to do that He won't equip you to do.  He gives you what you need to live the life He has ordered for you. This life you now live, you live because this Great, Big, Awesome, Powerful God LIVES IN YOU!  That is some super mommy power right there!

It still blows my mind.  So find time to sit and let that truth wash over your brain, and erase all the lies you let yourself believe.  Wash, rinse, and repeat.  Above all other habits, this will anchor you.  Do not neglect it.  Brutally cut out other stuff.

And be careful.  There is a lie coming that all activity is equal.  It is not.  There are some things that are a hollow use of your time.  An hour in God's Word is not equal to an hour of TV which is not equal to an hour of conversation with a friend.  Part of you KNOWS this.  Be wise in how you spend the time--because everything around you wants to pull you to hollow pursuits.  Only God's Word and people are eternal.

Saying "no" to the things that don't have eternal value is hard, but SO worth it.  Fight the crazy in all areas of your life--do not be swept up by the argument that "everyone else is doing this." That's a lie.

Stand firm in TRUTH.  Learn to pray--it's like breathing.  You can't function unless you breathe.

Next time maybe I'll tell you about kids' sports...

something is stirring

I'm not sure how it happened.  God has nurtured in me a passion for prayer in the last five or six years. I think it has grow up with my love for God's Word.  Thank you, Lord!

It seems to have come from so many God-appointed directions and I am SO grateful to be able to see His hand.

Most recently, I just finished with a teaching series for which I was able to work with the hubby.  I was in with the first and second graders and He taught third through fifth.  I can't wait to better document it as well as some of the other things I have seen God do.

And there is more coming!  If you're reading this, pray for the prayer life at my church--that Mark 11:17 would be true of it:

My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations.

In His service, by His power, for His glory!

God's sense of humor

It really is quite funny when I think of my previous thoughts on working with children. I would tell you that I didn't really like little kids.  Of course, as a mom, I learned how to like MY kids and my friends' kids.  But the idea of spending extended time with little people induced a bit of anxiety in me.

Well, a few years ago, God decided it was time to throw me for a loop.  He brought me to a place of trusting Him even when I felt uncomfortable.  How could I grow if I fought to stay in my comfort zone and doing the same old thing because it felt "safe."  I did the stuff I had a natural affinity and skill to do.
Yes, He is the source of these gifts and skills.  BUT I was working in my own strength.

Then I was asked to take a position of teaching preschoolers.  What?  Then I understood what it really means for God to give spiritual gifts--that are NEW, above & beyond any natural inclinations and abilities.  I hadn't work with kids, I didn't want to teach, because I couldn't.  But God...

I stepped out in faith.  I said, "Yes, Jesus.  I trust you."  What happened next is the miracle of God changing desires and thought patterns and abilities!  I had a group of four/five-year olds that I grew to love as I prayed for them and taught them God's Word.

I'm still trying to understand what God is calling me to do.  I have found a passion for teaching God's Word in a simple and straight-forward way.  If I have to resort to big words and sophisticated logic, then something isn't right.  I want to make it simple enough for a preschooler to understand.

I want to document the series we're beginning.  I want to be back soon to tell you about God's CALL on Abram (Abraham's) life.  Of course, it is not lost on my that my last post was on the summer study of Abraham.

If you're reading this and I haven't posted the first lesson, send me a text and remind me.  LOL!

“Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."  Mark 10:14b

Be blessed!