For those of you who know me well, or anyone who has ever asked me what type of ministry I’m passionate about, you’ll know it’s not kids. I like them right at the other end of the spectrum. I’ll happily sit and chat with the over sixties, but put me in a room full of kids and I’m a little at a loss.
Going into the World Race I’ll admit I was not excited about the prospect of how much children’s ministry I might have to do. I secretly (or not so secretly!) hoped that my team would be put with ministries that better suited my skills. I wanted to develop the things I already know I’m good at, not the ones I’m not. But God doesn’t always work like that and so far every month on the race has involved kids to some extent. So here’s a few things I’ve been learning from it.
1. Kids love and accept you just as you are – when I first walked into the room at our current ministry site, the kids ran up and hugged me and all wanted my attention. I didn’t have to do anything to earn their love, they gave it freely. This has served to remind me that my Father’s love is just the same, I don’t have to do or be anything special to get it, I just have to show up to receive it.
2. Kids ministry can be as easy as just giving a hug – all the kids here really want is our attention. Their faces light up when we pick them up, talk to them, play with them. It doesn’t require me to have any special skills. Just by loving them and being present I can share Jesus’ love with them.
3. It can be uncomfortable but it’s worth it – it can be tempting to say no when kids aren’t your thing. To say no to being pushed and pulled about as they braid my hair. To say no to kicking around a football or dancing and doing actions to songs because I’m exhausted. But seeing how much joy it brings them when I do, makes it worth it. That too reminds me of our Fathers joy when I say yes to Him regardless of how I feel about it.
4. Joy is infectious and you can opt in – I’m still working on this one, but I’ve been learning that things are more fun when you enter into them with a positive attitude and go all in. The more energy and enthusiasm I try to give to singing or games, the more fun it is for me, and more importantly, the more fun it is for the kids. And seeing how happy it makes the kids, brings me joy too.
5. Kids can melt even the hardest of hearts – some days my heart feels soft, others not so much. I’m working on it, but most importantly God is working on it by surrounding me with kids who hold my hand and just make my heart explode with love for them. Jesus loves his children so much and all I want is for these little ones to know how precious and special they are.
I’m still not ever going to be a children’s worker. I haven’t changed my mind on that. Still, I am understanding better that we can either just be unhappy when we don’t get what we want, or we can look for and learn the lesson God wants to teach us. Kids ministry can either make my heart sink, or my heart sing. I’m trying to choose the latter each day.
