Take Time to Appreciate

Sunday School teachers are some of my most favorite people! The heart that they have for our little ones and their obedience to the Lord to share Jesus' love with our children inspires me. I coordinate the nursery at our church and am surrounded by wonderful women, and one terrific gentleman, who selflessly show up each Sunday. They get on the floor to play with toddlers, they kiss away tears, they rock babies to sleep, they share a simple lesson from God's Word...they are laying the foundation of children's knowledge that "Jesus loves them".

Some are called to minister as teachers for a lifetime...our Ms. Karen has seen many classes of her babies graduate high school! While others, like my good friends, the Tatums, serve for a time and then take their turn in adult bible fellowship with the grown ups. We are so very blessed by all of them!

Each year about this time, I am dumbfounded at why we have such a hard time finding teachers! Many of our classes in the preschool department went all year long without ever having someone step up to teach that class of precious children. It breaks my heart when I think of what that person is missing out on in teaching these cuties, but even more so, what the children are missing out on!

Take the time before your child promotes to the next class this fall to show his/her teacher how very much you appreciate them. Need suggestions? Write them a heart-felt note telling them just how much they have meant to your family. Have your child write a note or draw a picutre if they are able. Bake them a loaf of bread...simple little tokens of appreciation like these will greatly encourage and warm the hearts of these servants.

Oh...and if your church happens to have an ETC director (who coordinates the volunteers during the church service), don't forget her either! She has THE hardest job. (Our Ms. Celeste is FABULOUS!) Her goal is the same as yours...to make sure that your child has the best possible care during that time. Tell her how very much you appreciate what she does. Want to bless her socks off? Offer to serve our little ones on a regular rotation (even if your child is no longer in preschool or the nursery)! Not only will you be blessing her, but the children and their families as well! Many of our parents are frazzled by how often they serve in their child's class because we do not have enough volunteers to help. Serving every once in a while gives you the perfect opportunity to reach out to guests and families who only attend the service, but are not yet connected to a small group! No great skills needed....just a servant's heart and a willingness to love on kids. YOU will be blessed beyond measure as you cheerfully serve God's people in this way.

And to quote Forrest Gump...."That's all I have to say about that!"