I See a Generation...

Sunday was an amazing day.  But, It started as a busy-bee Sunday, I was getting the kiddos ready, getting myself ready, double and triple checking that I didn't forget anything for Sunday school, and packing lunches for the kids and I to have after church, before pageant practice, and making sure not to forget any of the aforementioned items. Then we dashed off to church, and I was late, so I had to go make copies and get supplies for class while worship started.  I hate being late, and it leaves me kind of breathless, and frantic. Finally I got to join the rest of my church family for worship, and after I hurried in and set down my stuff, I looked up and smiled. Sigh.

It was youth Sunday (now I already knew this because my darling Serena was in the bells that day, but I had forgotten about the band being youth too). Up on that stage were 4 of my former students from Sunday school. 4 kids (well not really kids anymore) that I had gotten to know years ago, 4 kids that I got to watch grow up not only in stature(because Lord knows they are ALL taller than me now), but in faith as well.  They were leading worship with all the kiddos 4th grade and younger in the front row watching, singing along, maybe even picking their nose, but still watching. And they started to sing a song I adore, with  lyrics that say "I see a generation, rising up to take their place..." It hit me; I sat there soaking it up and soaking it in, and saying to God "Thank you, I needed that reminder."  A reminder that all the franticness of planning and prepping is not as important as passing on my faith to the next generation. Just as the youth was doing on stage, sharing their faith with the little itty-bitties in the front row (and all of us adults as well). Then another former student came up to do announcements and I swelled with emotion as I watched her.

        I wasn't much older than those students are now when I was their Sunday school teacher. I had just come off a few prodigal years in which I ran at full speed away from God, but He in His loving kindness drew me back.  And even gave me a job to do (you see my God loves me and knows how much I love having a job to do).  He told me to teach kids, to share my newly re-sparked passion for His word, and His love and His redemption with these kids. And as I watch them now, I see it was just as much for me as it was for them. So here is a thank you, to each of you who were serving God by serving us on Sunday:

Levi: Back at the old facility, when you were in 4th grade, in my Whales class, we were singing praise to God to start off our morning.  We sang together "God of Wonders" and you got most of the class to stand, arms around each others shoulders swaying and singing along together. I should have known God was forming you into a worship leader. And I thank God every time I get to look back on that day.

Meagan: I still remember you as a sweet little 4 year old girl who had my daddy carry her the entire 4th of July parade.  And I remember you being in my class as a bright ray of sunshine, always friendly, always talking. And getting to see you sing worship to our Savior and then sharing how blessed you were serving others in Fresno blesses my heart so much.

Evan: When you were in my class, you were always leading the pack, always smiling, always with a story to tell. And I see you now serving at church, helping in VBS, going to Romania and I see how God was molding you into the man He made you to be. And I am glad to have been able to see it.

Sean:  I remember the joy Brian and I had running up the stairs (or at the old facility running back to the last building) to try to beat you to class, only to have you jump out from behind a desk or chair and scare me...because you had beaten us there, once again. You were always ready to participate in class, always ready to talk about God's word and your life, and I know God will use that in you to do amazing things, things I can't wait to see. And I will smile just as big then, as I did the few days I beat you to class and got to jump out from behind a desk and surprise you.

McKayla: I always loved your outgoing nature, how quick you were to talk to anyone and everyone about anything. I loved the fire in your spirit, and I love that now as I watch you on stage, I can see that it hasn't changed.  God is growing you, but you are still just as spunky and wonderful as ever. God will continue to use your spunk for His glory as long as you let Him!

And thank you God for letting me witness the next generation rising up to take their place...and thank you for the encouragement it gave me to keep pressing on in mine.

God is dancing in my heart

God's timing never ceases to amaze me.  Never.  It's never what I would plan, and no matter how much I hem and haw and think my timing would be better and why doesn't He just do it my way...His is always better. And last Monday was no exception.

I am doing this amazing Bible study by Beth Moore entittled Stepping Up: The Psalms Of Ascent. Amazing study...and I will go into that at another post. Monday I was doing my daily "homework" and it talked about praying for your family members who are saved and thanking God for that, and praying for the ones who aren't.  So I had my list, and my little angel Chloe was on the "not" list.  After all she's almost 4...and hasn't really gotten to the point of "getting" the idea of salvation.  So I prayed for her protection until she can get to the point of accepting Christ, pretty typical mom prayer stuff.  Well, little did I know the night God had in store for us.

At bedtime we all took turns praying and as always Chloe's went like this "Thank you God for mommy and daddy and Se-ya and SunShine.  And thank you Jesus for dying on the cross to take the punishment for the bad stuff we do, so we can be in Heaven with you. In Jesus' name amen."  She always prays that, we spend a lot of time talking about Jesus, after all, He is a pretty big deal.  But I never had felt like she was doing much more than reciting what she's been taught, until...

Right after her prayer, she turned to me and said, "Mom, did you know Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for the bad stuff we do, so we could go to Heaven with Him?" And that was it.  I felt it.  The Holy Spirit was tugging on her heart...and God had me praying that day, not just a normal everyday mom prayer, but He let me be a part of this special, life changing, eternity changing day.

So I replied, "I know! Isn't that amazing! And did you know that all you have to do is pray, and tell Jesus that you know you do bad things, and you need Him to forgive you and you want Him to live in your heart forever...and He says yes! And then you are forgiven and Jesus lives in your heart forever and ever! Would you like to pray that with me?"

And she said Yes, and she repeated that prayer after me, right there on her bed at 6pm on Monday Oct 25th. And her sister and I were elated! Serena was smiling and congratulating her, and I was trying not to cry. And I told her that the Bible says when anyone asks Jesus into their heart that God and the angels rejoice in Heaven.  They sing and dance and have a party because Chloe is forgiven! So then we called Daddy in and she told Daddy how she told Jesus she knew she did bad stuff and she wanted Him to forgive her and live in her heart. And we hugged and smiled and laughed and then called Grandma and Pappa, and Chloe told them the story, with the biggest grin on her face, and she kept telling them "God is dancing in my heart!"

And you know what, I think He is.

Now, I know an almost 4 year old doesn't grasp the concept of redemption the way you and I do.  And I know that someday she will have to take a hold of her faith and make it her own.  And someday all of that will happen.  Someday she will fall in love with Jesus on a deeper level than she can even imagine now.  But as far as her little heart is concerned, she needed Jesus, and she asked Him in faith to make His home in her heart, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that she meant it.  And someday I am going to get to see all the great plans He has for her life, and I will get to see all the amazing things she will do for Him.  But for now I get to revel in the fact that a 3 1/2 year old loves her Jesus with all her heart...and He is dancing inside of it.