FEBRUARY 2017 KID'S HAPPENINGS
Hello Church Family,
I’m currently knee deep in Upward season and AWANA, as well as preparing for our upcoming Easter Eggstravaganza and Vacation Bible School! Let’s just say I catch myself thinking of the tasks at hand rather than having relational conversations with kids and parents. Don’t’ get me wrong, it’s a good thing to have my mind focused on the details of the ministry. But in return it’s a bad thing to be caught up in the busyness of discussing plans and watching the clock and calendar. All the while, “life” is happening around me and I’m missing out on seeing God’s blessings and hurting myself and others by not experiencing the joy of those moments.
I recently came across an article by Karl Bastin, who is a veteran children’s pastor and founder of kidology.org. His article helped me to understand that “We can’t help growing older, but we can help growing up.” In his article he writes:
“Kids live in the moment; adults are always going somewhere. Adults seem to always be in a hurry, discussing and planning for the future. Kids watch the world around them while adults watch the clock. Kids don’t worry about the future. Now is what’s important. It’s why homework and practicing is so challenging for them. To connect with kids, we need to compromise by helping them prepare and joining them in the moment. Do you notice cool bugs? Can you spot a picture in the clouds? Can you stop and just enjoy
something without concern about what’s next? When you live in the moment, you make powerful connections with kids because they see most adults as just leading, directing, and giving instructions. When you stop and enjoy something in the moment, as trivial as it may be, you stand out as an adult who can relate to a kid's world. Growing up, not old. There are so many things we can learn from kids, and these things are key to ministering to them. While growing up, adults tend to leave behind many traits of children that they’d be wise to embrace. We can’t help growing older, but we can help growing up. Keeping a childlike heart and approach to life is not only healthy, it’s also the secret to effective relational ministry.”
I pray these words spoke to you in a way to encourage you to find your inner child and live in the moment. Never forgetting that God is in control, not us. Relax, breathe, and enjoy every moment.