While watching my son play baseball I realized how blessed we are to have coaches who are Christians. Starting a game with a devotion and prayer is something every league should do. Showing the kids that playing a game is about learning and supporting, not winning and losing. Having fun is key. I admire these parents who take time out of their busy lives to teach our children these values. What a blessing they are!
Sadly, I have been at games where coaches get discouraged and parents get frustrated. The end result isn't a good one sometimes. I don't understand this. Maybe if I was more athletic and sporty I would. I did well walking and not falling over things. Wait-any thing. Sure I'm competitive but six, seven and eight year old baseball?
As usual I think about God. The ultimate coach. He's there being supportive 24/7. He's proud of us no matter how many hits we achieve. He wants us to treat others with love. When we fail He still loves us. He always forgives us. He cheers us on when no one else does. He is great. He is good. He is our biggst fan. And we are His favorite past time.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Jesus Is The Bees' Knees
We just finished another week of Vacation Bible School at our church. I don't know if it's suppose to be capitalized but I think it should be. It was fun as usual. More than fun-it was special. I could feel Jesus in the air.
I helped in the kitchen this year instead of teaching. I saw many children passing by while we made ready the snacks. Some were very little holding each other's hands. Some were very big trying to act like they were too old to enjoy Bible School. They weren't fooling anyone. They were having a great time.
Of course I reflected on Bible School when I was young. We went for two hours, sang "Jesus Loves Me", ate cookies and drank Kool-Aid, made God's eyes and played on the merry-go-round. Nowadays Bible School is more like a camp with drama and larger than life music and videoes. There are different themes every year. (This year we had a bee theme.) Artisic crafts that parents are excited to hang up rather than seriously considering hiding them.
One thing that has not changed though is the Jesus stories. I love a good Jesus story. No matter how many times you've heard His stories they still rock. Sure, now they are complete with a puppet show or even a dramatic portrayal but still they are His. And our children are reminded as are we that we are still His. Even when one only helps with the snacks.
The first day snack-wise I had to make a zigzag line with icing and put a beautiful bee on the end of it. Zigzag was our journey to find Jesus and Jesus was the bee. That simple message touched my heart. God made the whale and the bee. One day the mighty lion and the shy lamb will lie down together. I look forward to that day. Some days, I long for it. And for Him. He sent His son for all to be saved. Loving us like that is incomprehensible yet extremely acceptable. And consoling.
No matter how we help with our Bible Schools we are touched by God's love for us. And His very special Son. We all know the song. And when I think of it I have to add just one more thing: Jesus is the bee's knees in my opinion.
I helped in the kitchen this year instead of teaching. I saw many children passing by while we made ready the snacks. Some were very little holding each other's hands. Some were very big trying to act like they were too old to enjoy Bible School. They weren't fooling anyone. They were having a great time.
Of course I reflected on Bible School when I was young. We went for two hours, sang "Jesus Loves Me", ate cookies and drank Kool-Aid, made God's eyes and played on the merry-go-round. Nowadays Bible School is more like a camp with drama and larger than life music and videoes. There are different themes every year. (This year we had a bee theme.) Artisic crafts that parents are excited to hang up rather than seriously considering hiding them.
One thing that has not changed though is the Jesus stories. I love a good Jesus story. No matter how many times you've heard His stories they still rock. Sure, now they are complete with a puppet show or even a dramatic portrayal but still they are His. And our children are reminded as are we that we are still His. Even when one only helps with the snacks.
The first day snack-wise I had to make a zigzag line with icing and put a beautiful bee on the end of it. Zigzag was our journey to find Jesus and Jesus was the bee. That simple message touched my heart. God made the whale and the bee. One day the mighty lion and the shy lamb will lie down together. I look forward to that day. Some days, I long for it. And for Him. He sent His son for all to be saved. Loving us like that is incomprehensible yet extremely acceptable. And consoling.
No matter how we help with our Bible Schools we are touched by God's love for us. And His very special Son. We all know the song. And when I think of it I have to add just one more thing: Jesus is the bee's knees in my opinion.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
A Summer Fun Thank You
I haven't written on my blog for a week because of a short summer vacation followed by a wonderful visit by family. I've written this before and I'm going to write it again...I love summer! The freedom and fun it delivers is unparalleled. I love having my kids home-yes, almost all the time! The pool, the craft projects, Bible school-it's all good!
Our vacation consisted of visiting my husband while he was on a business trip and taking the kids to a water park. I'm not always a huge water slide fan but this park was incredible. We had so much fun-minus when the water coaster almost flipped us. Okay, maybe I'm over reacting but I'm certain I felt it start to tip. The wave pool was excellent and to quote one of the kids the lazy river was lazy. I was especially proud of my middle kiddo for being brave and venturing onto several slides. Kid in question usually questions them. A very nice surprise indeed.
Then we came home to a wonderful family visit. Movies, swimming and more water slides. Sleeping in and eating really good junk food. Laughing together was the best. Learning how much their kids had changed since Christmas amazed me. Getting birthday wish lists three to five months in advance is always nice for early shopping.
When these fun times occur, I try very hard to remember how blessed we are by God. He has given us so much. Simple gifts like a shared giggle. Treasured gifts like a warm hug. Fun gifts like a huge splash in the face. Special gifts in all the memories we have made. Can you imagine God's scrapbook? We'd all be in it. Pictures and quotes and remembrances. Everyone of His children would have their own page. That would be some book!
Does anyone ever forget to thank God? I know I do. I ask for so much but thank Him for so little. I'm sure He likes a good thank you just like the rest of us. Take a little time to thank God each day for all He's given you. He'll be grateful for every one of them no matter how loud or wet or sticky they are.
Our vacation consisted of visiting my husband while he was on a business trip and taking the kids to a water park. I'm not always a huge water slide fan but this park was incredible. We had so much fun-minus when the water coaster almost flipped us. Okay, maybe I'm over reacting but I'm certain I felt it start to tip. The wave pool was excellent and to quote one of the kids the lazy river was lazy. I was especially proud of my middle kiddo for being brave and venturing onto several slides. Kid in question usually questions them. A very nice surprise indeed.
Then we came home to a wonderful family visit. Movies, swimming and more water slides. Sleeping in and eating really good junk food. Laughing together was the best. Learning how much their kids had changed since Christmas amazed me. Getting birthday wish lists three to five months in advance is always nice for early shopping.
When these fun times occur, I try very hard to remember how blessed we are by God. He has given us so much. Simple gifts like a shared giggle. Treasured gifts like a warm hug. Fun gifts like a huge splash in the face. Special gifts in all the memories we have made. Can you imagine God's scrapbook? We'd all be in it. Pictures and quotes and remembrances. Everyone of His children would have their own page. That would be some book!
Does anyone ever forget to thank God? I know I do. I ask for so much but thank Him for so little. I'm sure He likes a good thank you just like the rest of us. Take a little time to thank God each day for all He's given you. He'll be grateful for every one of them no matter how loud or wet or sticky they are.
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