Ministry is messy!

I could run the perfect program. I could plan, prepare, make signs and make the perfect program happen. But then I would be planning, preparing, and making signs. Okay, I make signs. And I take great pleasure in how centered, colorful and helpful my signs are. I also plan and prepare. But the perfect program has never happened.

The perfect program is only in my mind. Unfortunately my mind isn’t perfect. Maybe I should say fortunately. Because what happens in my programs isn’t perfect. Children and adults are talking to each other. A child leaves just as the story hits the pinnacle to go to the bathroom. I say ministry is relational but sometimes I forget and try to run the perfect class. God isn’t concerned with gorgeous crafts and perfectly behaved children. He is concerned about my relationship with him and the children seeing God’s hand on me. Our church’s children run in the hall, climb the hall walls, and even drink punch in the nursery! They are spontaneous, energetic, and love their God. They don’t sing on pitch and they climb on the cupboards. They would rather make paper airplanes then draw pictures. These children are challenging and fun and I have the privilege of working with them to further God’s kingdom.

SO my perfect program won’t happen. But what does happen builds the faith of the children and the adults of my church. I get the opportunity to make a place for this to happen. Whenever these people meet and talk about God and tell the stories from the Bible, good things happen. I can’t control the children. I can’t control the adults. It reminds me of when I put my babies in the crib at night after a long day. I would put the baby in bed and pray, “Lord, I did my best today. Now you may take over while I get some rest.” In children’s ministry I do my best and then the Lord takes over. His design is always better than mine.