Take 5

 

Twelve years earlier, my son attended Growing Tree Preschool as well as Kid Quest.  For my daughter, the numbers mystify me.  I have always made being a Mom, my priority.  While my colleges were navigating along their career paths, I was struggling, as a single mom, to make ends meet so that I could remain home with my children.  That said, there are still things that I wished I had done differently.  I wish that we would have prayed more, together.  That our devotional times had been more consistent and that I would have spent more time doing the simplest things with them.  These things I will never be able to alter.  Those memories are never to be written on the walls of my children’s lives. 

My hope is that each one who reads my words will take them to heart.  Time is unredeemable.  In time’s economy, 5 minutes is as a grain of sand on a sprawling beach.  You can utilize those 5 minutes and change your child’s life!  Fill those 5 minutes with Jesus and you.  You will make a difference for eternity! 

Daddy's lap

When my babies were small, and as long as they would fit, I loved to set them in my lap!  I would wrap my arms around them and pull them in as close as possible, deeply breathing in every detail!  Words were unnecessary.  Our hearts would collide and mine would dance and melt simultaneously.     When I could hold them long enough, I would listen to the rhythm of their heart and feel the cascade of their breath. Such precious mommy moments enabled me to press through the mundane as well as insane other moments that made up life.  Those moments brought both balance and a sense of renewed strength.
As I had my quiet time this morning, I pondered God's lap ( I call him "Daddy".)  Hmmm, okay I cannot wrap my brain around God literally having a lap.  But I do have a remarkable imagination!
I imagine laying my head in Daddy's lap.  Not the image of God penned by Ezekiel or Isaiah, but the image of God embodied by His son, Jesus.  We sit in silence as words are superfluous. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me in as close as possible.  The world stops in awe of the moment, I'm certain of it.  Initially, I am left breathless by the immensity of the moment.  There we abide.  As long as I am willing to remain, he is fully present.  Even as I type, all the emotions and feelings of those moments overwhelm me.  Such precious Daddy moments birth renewal.  And the fragrance from those moments linger and hold me through the day.  Oh, how He loves me!

fingerprints

 

Though I’ve worked in ministry for many years, these past two months I have immersed myself in the incredible world of Preschool Ministry!  It is such an amazing fit for me as I am an interminable child at heart.    I consider it a remarkable privilege to oversee a department that empowers our little ones to experience Jesus!
So I’ve asked myself, what is my deepest desire that I wish to translate to my teachers, assistants and volunteers?  And two, what is my deepest desire that I wish to translate to these precious preschoolers?
Plain and simple, it solely comes down to relationship.  That it is possible to have a close, personal friendship with Jesus.  That he is tangibly available to each one of us!  That spontaneous conversation with him in grocery store lines, driving to soccer practice or playing in the park would be as commonplace as our breathing.
 I envision this amazing group of teachers and assistants who seek him, moment to moment; walk hand in hand with him.  We have a hunger for him and to learn more about him.  I also envision the end result which is the reflection of this, walked out before these children every time they encounter Spirit filled teachers, assistants and volunteers.  The Spirit of God is so contagious.  How intensely excited I feel at the thought of how each little life will be changed.  That Jesus, reflected by us will then be reflected in the life of every single child.
God, do not allow us to deviate from this cornerstone principal.  Grant us a hunger for you and your Word.  Guide us in your ways. Grant us your eyes, ears, hands, feet and heart as we dive into this ministry together.   Help us to remember that you are the cornerstone of this ministry and our very being.