I did something new this summer – new to me. Our church hosted Vacation Bible School and I volunteered.
If you personally know me, you might describe me as a leader. You probably think I’m pretty extroverted and outgoing. All could be true. I’m a leader by nature. A take charge and get things done kind of girl. As a volunteer this week, that meant being a team helper not leader. And since having Joy Belle, I’ve found comfort in being home. I’ve become a homebody and the thought of spending a day outside of my house has become intimidating. Home is my stomping ground – my solace. Don’t get me wrong, I love an outing – but I really love to be home with my family. Anxiety can consume me at the thought of a holiday at a family member’s house. So yea, maybe I’ve become a bit introverted too.
I said all of that to say, volunteering to help with VBS was me stepping out of my comfort zone.
As the week approached, I was dreading it and found myself praying that the Lord use me to reach these children, but also to speak to my heart. If He had called me to do this, I needed Him to work in me and through me. I had no idea how quickly He would start working.
Monday morning, as I stood in worship with the kindergarteners – 5th grade students, the Lord spoke to me. He reminded me that it’s my choices that will affect my future. In the beginning, God created man and woman, giving us the choice to choose – a flawless relationship with Him, or to eat of the fruit from the tree of good and evil. History tells us what choice was made.
Recently, I’ve been so convicted that my role as mom goes far beyond feeding my children and us all surviving the day. Those may be my daily goals (let’s be real), but scripture says that my role is to teach them about Christ. To show them what it’s like to walk with Him and have a relationship with Christ.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
As I walk through life – as a woman, wife, and mother – I have the choice. Do I choose to live for Christ or the world/myself? It would have been easy to keep my day-to-day route and keep the kids at home. It would have been comfortable to work from home and let the kids wake up on their own. But the Lord called me to serve, and from that He used VBS to help me step out.
The song below keeps running through my mind…
Today, I choose – to follow You. Today, I choose – to give my “yes” to you. Today, I choose – to hear Your voice and live. Today, I choose – to follow You.
Don’t be afraid to step out and do what you’ve been called to do. The Lord has proven time and again that He’s faithful. And with your “yes,” He can do big things. If you pray for it, prepare for it.
