Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

I am wise enough to know that vacation bible school is such a blessing and gift and it is not just for the kids. There I was face to face with 10 parents – none of whom I ever met since this is a friend’s church – arriving just a few minutes early to be there when their kids were done at 830pm. I knew God had put me into an opportune timeslot. I recounted about the day – the scriptures – the fun – the craft home project to make a family crest – and I talked about the powers of good and evil and that we need to put on the armor of God – and I even talked about the science project that was performed across the room from me. I was in crafts. No, I didn’t tell them I was a scientist because those folks are AWESOME at coming together and explaining the amazing things in science. FUN. I am thrilled in crafts. Who knew glue dots would be invented as a modern marvel. 

Face to face with cute kids and face to face with appreciative parents – where else would you want to be? AWESOME – I liked how the 30 year old eyes lit up when I told them the projects and the scriptures. BOOM – vacation bible school IS for parents too – this VBS sent home excited (and well fed and well-tired out kids) with memories to blurt out in the car and bible messages to take them all home afar – to the Kingdom not of this world. 

I am in crafts and we made catapults and cut out castles – and we made crowns. I always thought it was good match to my skill set and interest to do crafts if I ever wasn’t running a VBS. God opened up the window as a door closed.

God is good, I stood face to face with 30 yr olds and grandmothers last night who LOVE the wild and crazy things of VBS, appreciative of the time their kids spent with us. One grandmother said “mom and dad are on a date, they went to a concert.” God bless grandmas and grandpas and anyone who takes the kids for you and you get a break. Now my kids are older, and it’s my turn to be a grandma of the moment and craft lady. I had a GREAT role model in Miss B. My view of the children is that their hands need this crafting challenge, twisting rubber bands and manipulation of glue dots, and my my how we don’t get our kids into these activities like my cousins and I built model airplanes and such. Crafting is a lost art but a great use of time. 

Well my facebook memory shows to me it was 5 years ago this month that we were “Shipwrecked”, then had a pandemic patch of dryness. We ARE ALL shipwrecked but not abandoned, this is not our home but Jesus IS here helping. And when life changes, God is good, that’s the ROAR theme I stepped into at a friend’s VBS soon after, learning that yes, we can keep helping where God needs us. Be the experienced crew that migrates church to church to help. I challenge my former co-shipmates to hop into friends churches. We now can be the people DISSOLVING LINES between the denominations because a catholic-raised attendee to Methodist, Presbyterian, non-denominational, Cavalry-movement, kitchen table, park pinch-hitting preacher, and forever writer IS MEANINGLESS to the face of a five year old who simply needs the confidence that he CAN twist a rubber band. Our reputation and resume is nil when you are face to face with a child hungry in the Spirit, because only the Spirit would quench that thirst. Face to face, speaking faith. Someday God in all His Glory will stand with us Face to face, we will cast our crowns down to Him too. Until then, keep keepin’ on.

God Himself crafts an armor for us, the armor of God. One grandmother (in charge of dinner) cheered as I read the scripture to the kids, and we will keep reminding them all week. The last line is key – keep on praying for all the people. 

The Armor of God from Ephesians 6:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, …

… and with your FEET fitted with the READINESS that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the SHIELD of FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the HELMET of SALVATION and the SWORD of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD. And PRAY in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. 

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people…

Thanks all! Day 2 awaits!