When life gives you lemons…what do you do? You make lemonade.
A year ago…perhaps even longer, I started noticing that many children’s ministry leaders were feeling alone, isolated, discouraged…many of them ready to give up!
So what happened next? Our lemon moment! The moment when life handed each of us a big…fat…LEMON!
It was the moment when feeling alone…isolated…and discouraged took on a whole new meaning.
It was the moment when all eyes were taken off of self and placed firmly on God. It was the moment when God pulled back on the reins and said WHOA!!!! STOP!!! ENOUGH!!!
And the world STOPPED!
But for many children’s ministry leaders around the world…things only PAUSED…briefly.
And then they regrouped, learned new ways to communicate, banned together, shared resources, ideas, strategies, and goals, encouraged, prayed, lifted each other up, hit the streets and continued on with God’s work.
What is missing in all of this?
I no longer see posts about feeling alone…when we are more alone than ever before.
I no longer see posts about feeling isolated…when we are more isolated than ever before.
I no longer see posts about feeling discouraged…when the entire world is feeling discouraged.
Why? Because, all eyes are firmly fixed on God…not on ourselves. We are relying on Him 100% to get us through this difficult time.
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. -Psalms 55:22
Children’s leaders all across the world are banning together…with one purpose…reaching children with the message of Christ.
They are loving, supporting and encouraging one another…sharing ideas, goals and resources.
They are lifting each other up…the missing link that so many children’s leaders do not have.
Did it take a pandemic for us to take our eyes off of ourselves… and our ministries; and to re-focus on the bigger picture? Reaching Children for Christ…PERIOD!
Did it take a pandemic for us to see how special our children are? Every…single…one…of…them?
Did it take a pandemic for us to realize that we are NOT alone…that we are NOT isolated? That we are actually in this TOGETHER?
Have we learned anything from this pandemic? YES! • You CAN NOT stop the Word of God! • Technology is an AMAZING ministry tool • There are MANY creative people who will help you when you need them the most. They will share their ideas, thoughts and resources…all you have to do is to ask! • We can minister to our children ANY day of the week…not just on Wednesday or Sunday’s. • Personal home visits…even a “drop and go” shows our children that they are loved and missed! • We do not have to feel alone, isolated or discouraged…we just have to keep our eyes fixed on God and the ministry He has entrusted to us. Remember...we seek God’s approval…not man’s! • We have an AMAZING support system through Facebook Children’s ministry sites…use them!
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. -Psalms 16:8
So, grab that bowl of lemons, give them a good squeeze, add lots of sugar and ice…and enjoy a sweet glass of lemonade…You’ve earned it!
Be encouraged…God is still in control!
I have been praying for you this morning.
Have a blessed day and remember, you are not in this alone!