Our Sunday School Superintendents are Arthur and his wife Beth. He is just the sweetest man and his wife is precious! They are the type that if they said, “Could you walk through hot lava for the church?” you would not be able to say no! Of course, they don’t! Our church is a wonderful church, and not some weird cult that requires stuff like that or playing with rattlesnakes, or drinking poison… well you get the big picture! They are kind in every way. They seek you out just to hug you and tell you what a blessing to them that you are. This isn’t just hype! They really mean it with all of their hearts.
Yesterday, Arthur called me because I am on the Sunday School Substitute Teacher list. He had already asked my husband to teach an adult class and I really wanted to be there with him. My husband is a very wise and Godly man! I love to hear him minister!! When I first told Arthur I would be a substitute, I told him specifically I would teach third through sixth grade. I may say yes to any age above that, but absolutely not any age younger than that! After I did this, I began to feel guilty. I mean, I should be willing to serve in any and every capacity my church has need of. The Lord really dealt with me about this! I repented and told the Lord I would rectify my bad attitude! Arthur tells me he needs me to teach in the children’s department Sunday (today). Their teacher would be out of town and he needed the help desperately. “What age group are we talking?” I ask. “They are first and second graders” he replies. I know this is pushing it. I tell him so. I have taught every grade and second graders have a difficult time not “expressing themselves” every second of every hour! I remind Arthur of our agreement and he sweetly says, “Oh, Sister Juliana….just this once?” I sigh. I can’t say no. I think of the book where the little boy went to heaven and came back and said, “Mom and Dad….Jesus REALLY loves the children!” If Jesus can do it, I must do it also!
I show up this morning and there is sweet Arthur, with his innocent looking face and his sweet smile. You just know no lie could ever pass from those grandfatherly lips! He takes me to “my class”. I begin to look for a teacher’s manual. I can find nothing! Suddenly, through the door walks very small in stature children! They don’t look Pre-k or kindergarten age. I ask them how old they are and in unison I hear them say, “Four”. Suddenly, I turn and look at a very red faced Arthur!! Then, in my teacher voice I say, “Arthur! Did you lie to me?” He hangs his head in false shame! I have been TRICKED! At church, no less! “Do you forgive me? he asks with a sheepish grin. “I HAVE to! The Bible commands it and that is the ONLY reason I am!!” and boys and girls I halfway meant it!
Arthur quickly makes his exit before I can change my mind and I grab one of the kids that I know got a reading award this year! I know he can help me!! “You are my helper, Zach! Doesn’t that sound like fun??” He shakes his head yes….thank God the Lord has sent me a friend that can’t bail on me!!! He begins to tell me the teacher’s manual isn’t there. The teacher takes it. There are no color pages. I have no M&Ms to bribe them with! I am in deep trouble!!!! Then more children begin to come in. They are clinging to their parents and grandparents. I see something blue behind the door. It is a little boy hiding and tears are in his eyes! What has happened?? I have put on my sweetest smile, promised a prize to the one who is the best behaved, what could it possibly be??? I then see a little girl with her hands over her ears and her eyes squeezed tightly shut! Then it hits me like a ton of bricks! IT IS MY VOICE!!!!! These little lambs of God are petrified they are being led to a slaughter and that maybe I am not as sweet as I look because I sound….SCARY!! Just picture in your mind Joyce Meyer’s voice only ten times worse!
A lady comes in. She introduces herself as the first grade teacher. If I don’t mind she will take both classes she sweetly tells me in her beautiful voice and angelic smile. She knows what to do! Oh, sweet goodness. I say, “Are you sure?” while I pray she says, “Absolutely!” Thank God my prayers are answered because that is exactly what she says! I beat a path out of there!! I am sure after I left tears dried quickly and the peace of God permeated that room!! I know it permeated my heart along with utter joy!!
I was able to hear my husband teach after all and God revealed to me why I blog and I don’t public speak! That is okay! God loves me anyway….but what was He thinking when He gave me this voice??? It just goes to show, God has a sense of humor…unless you are talking to a four year old!
Thank you, precious reader for stopping by. I appreciate you so much!! Have a blessed and QUIET Sunday afternoon! I will see you next time!!
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