I am going to switch gears and think of the favorite VBS writings that I have – for memories of where God used me where I didn’t know but was just trying to follow Him to wherever He led… This was a moment for sure – and captured in a photo – wow…https://debbieupper.blog/2019/09/16/where-do-i-fit-a-one-sheep-vbs-moment-20jul-715/

THIS is a memory from 2019 when I had to cancel our VBS and was gratefully accepted (along with many of our campers and volunteers) into a neighboring church’s VBS – I went NOT as a director but instead a “spare” special assistant to watch over my friend’s daughter who was recovering from her surgery – wow – this was 6 years ago now – wow – amazing…

This blog is a day in that new vbs where I stepped away from my “job” watching and chased down a disgruntled 7 year old… This story is about accepting that you are not always going to be doing “YOUR” plan – but participate in God’s plan…  YEAH! and sometimes you don’t say anything right but at least have eyes and fast legs!

Where Do I Fit? a One Sheep VBS Moment, 20JUL2019
Ah, my friend caught a precious VBS moment in a photo…

VBS is not just about fun, it is having faith that God needs you to be present where He places you.

Where do I fit?

The most important scanning of a new situation is to see where you plug in and where you can make a difference and to discern why God put you there that day.

I was NEW there – not the leader like I was in my old church – but I did NOT feel that weird in a new Vacation Bible School church because I figured I could be helpful, somewhere…  I did wonder how I could contribute, I wondered how God would use me and I made myself available for His plan. That morning I saw random needs: I folded t-shirts and I placed nametags on people who didn’t think they needed them – they did… A former or ’emeritus’ VBS director ALWAYS scans the scene…

In the opening session for one particular day, middle of the week, God made it SO clear of His answer to my question of “why am I here?” The answer came in one sheep – I noticed seven-year old Jayson pouting on the floor, 2 rows back from the well-behaved 16 five-year olds that I was assigned to…. I saw him not participating, disgruntled, ANGRY at Grandma and the world…. No, I never met him – but knew what an angry 7year old’s “HMMPFFF!!!!” was all about…

The five-year olds were fine with 6 leaders present, so I was able to break away and down I sat, on the ground in the sanctuary… Eye to eye… Really it didn’t matter what I said to Jayson. I just tried to listen.  And then… in a flash Jayson took off!!! Running down the side!!! I ran!!! Yes I ran!!!…. I  yelled “Catch him!” but three adults were totally oblivious, they did not… I caught him just at the back door – and I was thankful!!!…

WHEW!

“God, this is why I am here today”… “Thank you Lord that You enabled me to be aware, to run, to catch, to be present…”

That afternoon and the next day I stood guard watching him in the pews, he was much better, doing the singing, he was OK for his Grandma. I even saw him chatting with a friend.

See, that’s what working for God is all about – it is about being present, aware, asking the Lord: “where do I fit?” – It is NOT “what’s in this for me?” – We are to ask: “What’s my role – where can I be the servant?”…

Running AT camp is where God used me this year – I was NOT running a camp (as the leader) but running AT camp… “Where do I fit, Lord?” EXACTLY where You placed me.

There’s no better week than VBS week… NONE…

Thank You Lord for VBS sheep! I am one of them – thank You for catching me too…

Amen