Love, Love Like That

One of my favorite quotes of all time was penned by a Persian poet somewhere around six centuries ago. It goes like this: Even after all this time The sun never says to the earth, "You owe Me." Look what happens with A love like that, It lights the Whole Sky. (The Gift: Poems by Hafez the Great Sufi Master)

I've been really working hard these last few months. The end of the school year was coming in full force and really it's the starting and the stopping of school that is so hard. The rest of the year is much easier. Vacation Bible School is scheduled for the end of July and we have been working hard on several fundraisers to alleviate a budget affected by an ever changing economy. I'm also trying to accommodate my volunteers, making sure they are able to rest and take well-deserved vacations during the Summer. And, of course, my regularly scheduled programming requires my daily presence.

I, along with some wonderful ministry partners, are working hard to make sure that our children, His children, get the very best. We need them to see God for who He really is. So, we roll up our sleeves and pitch in to make sure that our kids see more about God than a made up image on a coloring sheet. And it's hard work. Really hard work.

We aren't always thanked for shaping and molding young hearts and minds. I don't always feel appreciated or even respected. Sometimes, I have to deal with budgets that won't balance, upset parents, teachers who call in, unruly kids, or misinformed church members. Sometimes I'm so exhausted that I'm asleep before my head even hits my pillow. Other times, I lay awake for hours upon hours worrying about something that occurred earlier that day or making plans for the next.

And I'm reminded of our friend, Hafez. Look what happens with a love like the sun has for the moon. A love that would do anything, give anything, be anything that the object of its affection needs or desires. A love that never felt like it was owed something in return for all of its great sacrifice. A love that knows it is a verb and strives to show itself in its fullness day after day with no expectation of gratitude in return.

So, today, I make this my goal. To do ministry in the same way the sun radiates and lights up the moon. Nothing halfway. Complete sacrifice, no need for repayment of any kind.

I was loved in this same way on a very dark Friday some 2000 years ago. My Savior payed the ultimate sacrifice on a Roman cross as my substitue and He has never once called me for a payment.

And that kind of love, buddy, it lights up the whole sky.

Summer

Ahhhh...church in the Summertime. The children's hallway is buzzing with more laughter, talking, and movement than it normally sees throughout the rest of the year. Joy is alive and well. Smiles abound. Souls are soaring. This is the product of freedom. Things that cannot possibly happen in Fall, Spring, and Winter, suddenly become possible in June.

Why? Because school is out for three whole months! Attitudes relax. The pressure is off. Carefree replaces stress. No one has to worry about homework, book reports, bullies, or lunch money. So, personalities are finally allowed to come out and play. To show who they were really meant to be all year long, but couldn't find a way to shine under the overwhelming responsibilites of having to be a student.

In the Wintertime of my own life, I was a slave to sin. I was bound to the pressure of bad choices and stressful living. My heart was heavy and burdened. My soul had taken a beating...a bad one. I was tired and I didn't see a way out.

And then Summer came and I met Him. Really met Him.

He said to me, ""Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:28-30)

And away with Him I went. I traded in all of my sin and bad living for grace and light living.

My heart was finally allowed to take a deep breath, my soul was able to soar, my burden was lifted. The pressue was off. I was free, indeed. No more worrying about being good enough, beautiful enough, or just enough in general. In that instant, I knew that He was enough of everything to make up for whatever I lacked. My personality could shine because I was finally able to be who I was meant to be all of my life. A child of the burden-lifting, freedom-giving, rest-offering, life-recovering, one true God.

Are you living in the Wintertime of your own life? If so, I compel you to try His way. He is freedom and restoration. He is joy and grace. He is Summer.

Return of the Kid Magnet

So. I'm back. With almost zero excuses for a prolonged absence. Actually, when I started this Kid Magnet blog, I don't think I realized the great work required in posting my random thoughts on a daily basis. I was like a child with a new puppy. The new wore off, the passion faded, and I let my cute little blog die of starvation.

That being said, I've missed it. I've missed sharing my collection of thoughts with my little computer and whoever else blessed my blog with their presence.

So. I'm back. For real this time. With a full understanding of all that is required to keep this puppy going. I get the commitment involved. "And, honestly mom, I will feed and water it every day." ...says the child with the new puppy and the woman with the blog.

In this past year, I've gained so much and grown with the kids that I'm blessed to serve. I have some largely funny and deeply profound insights to share with you that I never would've collected had I not been ministering to His children. I know they belong to Him, but, gosh, am I glad He allows me to be a factor in guiding them toward faith.

So. I'm back. In case you didn't hear. And I'm glad you're here with me. Join me and the smallest of my friends as we walk our journey of faith together. It's a split personality, this journey. Some days will be wild and crazy, some will be sorrowful, and some will be bittersweet. But, its our journey and our story to tell. And tell it I will.

See you tomorrow.