Tidbits From A Busy Week @ VBS
It has been a busy week with Vacation Bible School at church. Most of my readers probably have some familiarity with this annual rite of Summer. I can remember as a little boy being sent to VBS, I think to give my mom a few hours of rest. There I learned about Jesus, and also important things like how to make a rooster portrait out of glue and kidney beans. Since then, I've been involved with VBS in some capacity every year of my life. Now as a pastor, I try hard to connect with the kids during the week and love them every bit that I can. I lead the joint worship time. I wander the hallways and into the classrooms. I carry a big red box filled with all kinds of candy and toys, used as a grab bag for the children. We've a contest going with the music director, with the loser getting a pie in the face at the end of the week. Looks like, for the seventh year in a row, I'll get the pie.
Here's a few tidbits from the week:
Together we say a pledge to the Christian flag. I've been teaching the kids the meaning of the colors- blue for royalty, white for purity, and red for the blood of Jesus. Later, one little girl came up to me and asked, "Bro. David, what is puberty?" Taken by surprise, I asked why this was important. She said, "Because of the white. You said it represents His puberty."
I noticed a single mother, with two little children, arriving at VBS in a taxi. Since she lives about ten miles away, I was concerned because the cost would have to be around $50, and she has a limited income. I asked a couple of times if I could give her a ride, and thus save the cost of the taxi. She kindly declined. Finally I urged her to reconsider, and asked why she would take a cab, knowing how much it cost? She smiled and said, "It's part of my divorce settlement. My ex is paying."
Last night I went into the teenage classroom to talk for a few minutes. They were a rowdy bunch, did not listen very well, and of course had a few smarty-pants things to do/say. Typical adolescents. I said what I wanted, lead in prayer, and left without punching anybody- so all was o.k. Later, I attended the teen "tailgate party". As I was munching on hotwings, one of the young ladies asked if we could talk in private. We walked a bit away from the crowd. With earnestness, she said, "Bro. David, I am so sorry for not being more respectful toward you. My parents have always taught me to look someone in the eye when they are speaking. I should have not behaved as I did." I smiled and said thanks, that her words have meant a lot to me. I would have hugged her, except for the hotwing sauce on my hands. Teens- what a puzzle.
Tonight is Family Night. Lots of songs and fun things. Crafts will be on display. Unfortunately, no kidney bean portraits.
