'TIS THE SEASON

Of course its VBS time and this year I have the lovely character of Doc. We’re doing Good News Clues and they stuck me in the garden site with the lady who doesn't like flowers not only does she not like them she doesn't want them anywhere near the site. I was talking with another lady in the church and somehow the phrase VBStress slipped out (a special thanks goes out the guy who coined that). She was very quick to say that nothing in ministry is stressful and I should be lucky that I live in a country where I can share Jesus with little children. After picking my jaw up off the floor I apologized and walked into my office. This conversation has been brewing in my head for a few days. At first I thought she was crazy-yet I was convinced that God must have been telling me something. I just kept praying that God would give me something so every time I had to deal with this lady I wouldn't be thinking of her as the crazy one. I’d be the crazy one to say that ministry is not stressful because it is. It's a constant game of decisions, up and down joy and strategizing. Here's where I'm at.... that conversation revealed to me is that I need to be more thankful for the freedom I have to speak and teach in the name of Jesus. Especially in a world of child opposition where millions of children (and adults alike) go without knowing who Jesus is. It's true I often say it but I've never really took the time to digest what a privilege it is to be able to freely voice my beliefs. Think about, no guns, no bombs, no overbearing political leaders, we are all truly blessed! I hope I’m reminded of this on those all too often stressful days and the times when others feel the need to put me in my place.