How do I see God working in our family? If only I could count the many ways!
But one MAJOR way is in seeing the depth of love grown in my husband's heart. Not only a love for his family, but a deepened love for his church and for others. Wow. It is a joy to see.
Many years ago, my sweet hubby decided that he would serve with me in the nursery on Sunday mornings. Not just one or two Sundays, but every Sunday. Together we would take on the task of relaying Bible-based curriculum and sharing the hope and joy of Jesus to the sweetest and most precious of God's blessings...His children.
In those years, God has used this time to grow both he and I closer together in our marriage, closer to our children (of whom, we've been able to spend at least a year with each in class), and ultimately closer to HIM. We have had both the privilege and honor to serve alongside many families that we may have otherwise never had the opportunity to. We have come to enjoy the many personalities and just plain "fun-ness" (yes, I know that's not a real word) that come with each child who steps through the door.
And yes, there were days we wondered why we only drink decaf. And yes, there were days where we wondered when we might take a break. And yes, there were days when we were grumpy...ok, more me than him, but just further proof I am still a work in progress :)
It was time. Time to step down. Time to walk away. Many asked, and we confirmed. We needed to plug in elsewhere. We needed to change up our routine. Until last Sunday.
Because after weeks of seeing needs in the Children's Ministry and after last Sunday being approached to "help" maybe every now and then....my husband felt burdened. He looked me in the eyes and I could see it. That God-given passion for serving. That God-honoring and God-planted seed of love....a great love for others. And sure, you may say, "that's easy when you're talking about your church family"....but I also see it elsewhere, in the community, too. Like when he pays for a strangers meal "just because" or he smiles and offers to assist someone, even if it means taking away from his scheduled "plan".
It makes me smile because it is NOT of me. It is NOT of him. It is ONLY OF CHRIST that either of us can serve and do so with joy. Christ gave it ALL...may we follow Him in giving some.
So with that burdened heart...it was not hard to see where my husband would be leading us next. He felt just helping occasionally wasn't enough for us. He felt we needed to do more. Just as gladly as I followed him "out" of the Sunday morning nursery, I will choose to gladly follow him "back in" to the next hallway of Children's Ministry, the "Big Kid" hallway. It was not what I expected. But it is what I welcome. (And seriously, it only takes one Sunday in these classes to know why we love it!)
Although we didn't see it coming (well at least so soon), we both know that our God is a God who equips. We will continue to pray regularly that He will equip us for this next year; that we will constantly follow HIM. We will pray that HE will be magnified and honored in this and in other areas that we may serve. We will pray that He will bless those who walk through those doors each week and that through these children He will teach us ALL more about Himself. We will pray that each heart comes to know Him fully.
I can't seem to clear The Jeffersons theme song from my head. "We're Movin' on Up"....and we're giving thanks. So, so many things to be thankful for.
