"My kids"

It is so easy to post a ton of pictures of Aubri (I took 672 last month!) and write quick little updates, but I've realized that I have not talked much about my other children. In fact I don't even know if I've mentioned that I have about 50-60 additional kids.

It's true. Since May, Jose and I have been serving as the Children's pastors at Five Cities Vineyard. While we aren't responsible for their physical care, we do have a responsibility (in addition to their parents) to teach them and lead them to the Lord. How humbling! Just the other day I was reflecting on my past experience of Sunday school and youth group, and I realized I can name many Sunday School teachers and all my Children's pastors. I can even remember lessons they taught, activities we did, and things they said. It hit me all over again what a huge responsibility-and great privilege- it is to be entrusted with this position!

In the few months we've been the Children's pastors, I've been rewarded with witnessing so much growth and understanding in the children. I've shared with several people already how amazing it has been to hear the children excitedly recite to me week after week the Fruit of the Spirit or the books of the Bible, or be able to tell me what they learned the previous week. I've even been blessed to see new teachers join our ministry team, and to witness the effort they put in to preparing their lessons.

I'm reminded right now of Matthew 18:1-5.

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."

WOW! What a picture of Jesus' heart for the children! It is tempting for me to stop there, but I got to share the next important verse.

Verse 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

YIKES! Not much could be worse than drowning to death, yet that is considered a better option than what is in store for someone who leads His children astray. Again what an eye opening responsibility.

Being the Children's pastor is a dream come true. It has been a passion burning in my heart for years. I honestly never knew if it would happen for me, but years ago I received a prophetic word about teaching and serving children. To see that playing out in my life is a testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit. The story of how we were led to this position is long, but to sum it up Jose and I had nothing to do with it! God ordained every little step so that in the end I can look back and see how the position came to us at the perfect time.

So now for the best part...a look at a few of "my kids".

Pre-K kids were learning about Joseph. What a creative project the teacher planned! They colored coffee filters, sprayed them with water, and made Joseph's colorful robe!

Kindergartners also learned about Joseph- in jail! They LOVED getting locked up in jail and handcuffed!

Good looking kids, huh?