Sweet Stories to Make Your Day

Story #1: Change of Plans

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Last Wednesday Night I had the joy and the privilege to teach the PK class. (Now remember, PK is NOT my area of gifting, but I did so anyway because there was a NEED.) Robin, our regular PK teacher was unable to teach. Though she left a message, my cell phone was DEAD and I had not been home to check my voicemail. Thank goodnes she came by that Wednesday night to let me know.

Now, I usually teach the elementary age children. I don't usually teach PK and don't believe I have taught a PK class in years. The irony is that for the first time since we started Wednesday night children's Bible Study a year ago, I had absolutely NOTHING prepared for the usual Elementary age class I teach. I was so BOOKED UP and busy from FCAT testing the week before, school/church work, and QUARTER EXAMS that week that I had NO TIME to prepare a lesson. In fact, I was so panicked that I was trying to quickly piece together a lesson for the elementary kids right up to 6 p.m. that Wednesday. So, you can realize just how panicked I was to not only NOT have an elementary lesson prepared, but also to discover that the PK needed a lesson and teacher as well. But God already had it all worked out. Jodi had already planned to practice with the children who were participating in the Berryhill Manor outreach. (Thank you Jodi! You are awesome!) Thank goodness, there weren't any elementary children who were doing the Bible Study instead of practice! But there was still the problem of what to do with the PK class. I wasn't an experienced PK teacher!

But like I said, God had it all worked out. As I desperately searched the PK supply cabinets for something to do, I discovered a large container of bubbles. That's it! That day had been a gorgeous day. The late afternoon was budding with the signs of spring. I'd take the children outside and we'd blow bubbles. And that's exaclty what we did - for 45 minutes those little ones had a BLAST blowing bubbles and chasing them in the wind. Their laughter filled the air. It was so PRECIOUS and so SWEET! It was THE MOST FUN I'd had teaching in a long time. We talked about what made the bubbles move through the air - the wind. We talked about how we can't see the wind but it's there. Then we talked about how we can't see God (The Holy Spirit), but He's there. Even though we can't see Him, we can see the works of His Hands. I think they got the concept. Then we took a nature walk around the church grounds, looking for the things God created. They had a BALL and I enjoyed every minute of it, too. They minded, they did exactly what they were asked to do, and they had fun! I couldn't have asked for a better class! I have to give a SHOUT OUT to GOD for the wonderful lesson and the children that night. Like I said, PK is not my gifting so it had to be ALL GOD!

God reminded me that night that my plans, or the lack thereof, are not always His plans. And that His Plans are ALWAYS the BEST! All of that worry and fretting over planning the Elementary Bible Lesson was for naught, because that wasn't what He had planned for the evening. That's why everything seemed worked against me preparing the elementary lesson. God had planned something uniquely different that night, something even more wonderful. I should have known He was 'up to something.' :-) It was a blessing to teach those little ones for a change! Their pureness, innocence, and excitement over the littlest things thrilled my soul!

Yes, I love those times where we get off the beaten path, yet we are exactly where God wants us to be! Thank you, parents, for sharing your children with us each Wednesday and Sunday. We are blessed to be a part of their lives.

Sweet Story #2: An Encouragement for Doing Good

I received the sweetest news last night. My little neice, Jessica, accepted Christ as Lord and Savior recently. Hallelujah! Jessica is 8 years old. My mother has played a major role in her upbringing. For years, my mom has faithfully taken Jessica and her younger sisters to church just about each and every Sunday. She has ensured they have attended Sunday School, Church, and VBS. Mom shared with me that her pastor had approached her last week, indicating the Jessica had professed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. You can't imagine the EXCITEMENT we, her family, felt over the news!

Jessica is a sweet hearted child, smart, and always tries to do what is right. My Mom has intervened in her and her sister's lives to ensure they have a good spiritual upbringing, a solid foundation to build their lives upon. Her coming to salvation is a BIG ANSWER to years of prayer!

Her story is a story of encouragement for those who have a 'Jessica' in their own family or neighborhood. Don't give up on bringing your children, grandchildren, neices, nephews, neighbor's child, or children of friends to church! Keep inviting lost family members, lost friends, and coworkers to church. Even when it seems as though nothing is happening, seeds are being planted! God is faithful to do His part, don't give up on doing your part to reach children, youth, and adults for Christ! Keep inviting them! Keep bringing them! Keep praying for them! Keep up the 'good' work!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

In His Love, Cathy