I was myself surprised, the manual dexterity of the children at vacation bible school was SO variable, even to tie a ribbon. Good thing we are practicing these things! The willingness to learn was HUGE for all. The ability to attempt something comes with practice practice practice, and the opportunity to try comes with freedom, but the thirst to “do it myself” is inherently strong in kids and we have to keep cultivating that – that must come from God – who are we to squash what comes from God.

Yet, I’ve seen that fade in many adults. I think “not-do-it-yourself” is more and more entering our lives. But I have hope in these children. Let’s keep letting them try, provide the safe space. Yes, we learn safety. Yes we learn orderliness. But we learn caution over creativity, let’s not let that happen, at least at camp.

I have some of the crafts still on my fridge from my kid’s vbs days, especially those adorned with my kids photos. I have a couple of the dozens of items that I myself got to make in my grandfather’s woodshed, airplane with bent nails, then an improved teenager-made wood box sanded, stained, solid. My grandfather let me try. My grandmother let us sew and bake. It was cool to be a kid.

My daughter (22 tomorrow) FaceTimed me from her 3D printer lab where she is one of the volunteer managers. Cool stuff like the Cathedral of Notre Dame and practical for architectural students rather than simply toys (but they make toys too,  like miniature milk crates). She called these machines her good children and bad children. They only print with white filament because the in between cleanings of them is a pain, she said, and she is well versed in unclogging, tearing them apart. Cool. Dexterity is practiced, freedom to try is a gift in a safe space. (Although college is a pricey safe space, it’s priceless for her education). Watching my son tear apart a thousand dollar computer is scary but necessary to learn – I just would hold the flashlight and pray. He did it – he has the dexterity and the drive – and the safe space to try more.

This is where I remember King Solomon and his advice, God gives us freedom and really the choice in life is to become ‘Grumpy Gus’-es or NOT. God has us such a short time on earth, let’s make the most of it. God especially wants us to remember Him while we are young, remember that He made us. 

I was blessed to be a young at heart coordinator this week, to glue, staple, hammer, pour, tie, try lots of markers, and laugh with these children at VBS. Mostly I marvelled at their Spirit. Crafts is a golden opportunity to tell the kids: “WOW, you did a great job!” Arts is an amazing opportunity to tell the kids: “You are SO creative!”… Really also what you are also doing is complementing God in giving PRAISE for how wonderfully made He has made these children – and He made their ears to hear the encouragement meant for Him. He lets them and lets us take praise for His Creation so that we can hopefully remember to thank Him. Otherwise we fade in our appreciation and remembrance. We think about old ways in our old days. Let us remember our Youth, God IS the One Who WILL restore that too – in Heaven.

Let us keep remembering these days of youth and foundry fondly as a foundation to grow. Try to remember to marvel, because each child is made in the image of our Father, and He’s the best Crafter and Artist Creator EVER. Even and Especially God says of children and of us: “VERY GOOD!”

Remember our Creator! Thank You Lord! Thank You for Your Children!

Amen

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Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 12:1-8  Remember God your Creator 

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them” –  before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets.

Remember him – before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

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