A friend of mine used the expression yesterday, “if you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans.” It has been awhile since I’ve heard it said, but it was somewhat apropos for me yesterday. I attend a Bible study group once a week and this years first session was yesterday. I had gotten a call from the children’s leader asking if I could help them on the first day in the nursery. I helped them last year and if you’ve ever volunteered your services you’re probably familiar with the subsequent calls for help that follow from time to time. The children’s leader is a delightful person, and I often have a hard time saying no to delightful people in need. I’ll be honest, I love children, but not babysitting children. I enjoy the ages between 3 to 5 when kids are imaginative and start to become little people. Last year I helped in the 1 to 2 year old room filled with tears, difficulties sharing, and not wanting to pay attention to the lesson. I should also add I don’t have much patience for teaching lessons.
This year I had a plan. I was going to state what I wanted and ask for the 4 to 5 year old room. I walked into the church with a new found confidence instead of dread. Surely, she would agree to my request. No such thing happened. As soon as I could get the words out she replied with force, “you are with the infants.” Before I could even mutter a “but I” she explained that several people called in sick and they were short handed. God had a new plan for me and I wasn’t too happy about it, at least at first. My neighbor’s granddaughter happened to be in the room which was a nice surprise. There were eight babies from 2 to 10 months old and three adults. We were besieged by beautiful bouncing babies who were crawling, curious and sometimes crying. Normally my blood pressure would have hit the roof, but I remained calm and was a source of comfort. It was hard work at times especially when half of them decided to be hungry all at once. I’ve always felt a tad awkward around infants, but this time I felt confident and at ease.
Lately I have been mourning the fact that my kids are older and don’t think they need me as much except for when it comes to finding something they’ve misplaced. They don’t need the constant comfort a baby needs. There is a HUGE part of me that is grateful my children aren’t hanging on to my legs anymore. There would be something wrong if they still were at 13 and 16 years old. However, I guess a tiny part of me misses being able to hold my babies and have them fit on my lap. What I was dreading turned out to be just what I needed. The next time the children’s leader calls I’ll ask for infants or maybe I should just let God decide and have faith it’s what I need.
Dawn, Someone came up to me this morning & said I should go to your website. If you knew my computer skills, you would know how challenging it was for me to find what she was steering ne towards. As I read your blog about serving in children’s, I was deeply touched. Thank you for being such a faithful servant, and being willing to serve wherever God calls you. I hope you realize how valuable you are to us, and how much we appreciate all you do for us. Many blessings. Evelyn
Thanks Evelyn. I understand what it feels like to have limited computer knowledge. It can be very challenging. I appreciate you reading my blog. Thank you for all you do in the children’s department every week.
I know exactly what you mean … same here. Miss their cute and innocent faces but then glad they are independent now.
Visiting from http://papaisapreacher.blogspot.com/
Oh Dawn, what a wonderful lesson! He knows just what we need when we need it doesn’t He? I’m having to learn that this month and learning to trust. 🙂 Thank you for this story, it was just what I needed. 🙂
Thanks for linking up!