Play! Listen! Talk!

I actually started this blog the day BEFORE Easter—just because I was struck by all the unknowns. Would we have enough supplies—and teachers--for the kids who came? Would we have kids who were fearful and upset at being left with unfamiliar teachers in unfamiliar classrooms? Would the worship service greeters remember to tell families where the children’s ministry programs are located? And last, but not least, in the middle of all these unknowns, would we be able to connect each child to the life-changing news of Jesus? I ended up doing a lot of praying on Saturday, thinking about Easter’s coming!

Now, AFTER Easter Sunday, I’ll let you be the judge of whether my prayers were answered. We had enough materials to go around and we had enough helping hands so that each child was welcome (some of our teachers called themselves the unofficial Life Saver Club). And peeking into our classrooms you could see happy babies in the nursery (despite some being left for the first time), a caring preschooler who gently applied a bandage to her friend’s blister from new Easter shoes, and two older kids who lost teeth within minutes of each other during the Bible story. In the midst of all the activity, the story of Jesus’ resurrection and His love was not only told, but demonstrated. So now, I’m praying again—this time, thanking God for His goodness which never fails.

What did the preschoolers at your church do today? I saw kids shaking rhythm instruments, clapping to music, singing in the kids' choir and especially having fun waving palm branches! (Well, actually tickling each other with palm branches!) Excitement just builds and grows this time of the year. Kids are going on vacation, camping trips, enjoying Easter Egg hunts, even visiting the Easter Bunny at the mall.

Do you worry that the message of what Jesus did at Easter gets lost in all the excitement? I do, because it seems that the words about Jesus' love, and the people praising Him aren't even heard. But in all the playing and talking (did anybody listen today????) I know that the foundation is being built, one bit of awareness at a time. And at such a joyful time of year, where else would we want to be but with God's family, in His house, celebrating His love for us!