Vacation Bible School

Last week was Vacation Bible School at my church in Dalton. I am still exhausted.

I volunteered to do the Bible story for the preschoolers. Two groups of children would come to me for fifteen minutes each evening for the story and an activity. The teacher’s manual had detailed instructions. Connie, our wonderful children’s minister, had all of my supplies ready. This will be a breeze, I thought.

After the first night I realized that the children that the manual assumed I was teaching were perfect little boys and girls who sat quietly and listened. Our little darlings never quit moving. They were adorable, inquisitive and active.

I made some adjustments, found a good preschool Bible to use for the stories, and had fun the rest of the week. With preschoolers the hope is that they will catch some truth along the way.

As a child VBS was always one of the highlights of my summer. I’ve been to Bible school as either a participant, church staffer, mom, or volunteer for most of the summers of my life.

I remember the excitement of gathering in the warm summer mornings on the front steps of First Baptist in Mooresville, NC before Bible School. When the music started, we all marched in. Three lucky children were chosen to lead the procession, carrying the American flag, the Christian flag or the Bible. They stood at the front of the church as the rest of us filed in, then we recited pledges to the flags and to the Bible. I still remember the words to the pledge to the Bible – “I will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God.”

We then followed our leaders, mostly our mothers, to our respective classes, where we made art from construction paper and glue, and heard stories about a blue-eyed, blond-haired Jesus. We played outside during recreation time. My favorite part was snack time when we drank red Kool-Aid and feasted on cheap cream filled cookies. On the last night we might have popsicles. I was a food centered kid.

Bible School is rowdier these days. Instead of marching in with flags, the kids run into the sanctuary and sing and dance and watch funny videos that teach a Bible concept. Instead of sugary snacks, our church offered a nutritious meal every night.

But the rest is surprisingly the same. A Bible story, crafts, games, learning a Bible verse. Being around caring adults. Making friends. Having fun at church.

I faced some challenges recently and I found myself repeating the simple daily mantras that we taught the children:

When I feel powerless, trust in Jesus.

When I feel alone, trust in Jesus.

       When I feel helpless, trust in Jesus.

    When I need hope, trust in Jesus.

     When I need help, trust in Jesus.

Each time we repeated Trust in Jesus, we made a motion like we were pulling down on a rope. In my mind I saw Jesus in heaven, holding one end of the rope, while I held on to the other end, keeping me from falling into the abyss. It’s a powerful image.

We all need some Bible School in our lives. We need to be reminded in our complicated grown-up world that Jesus brought a simple message.

Hang on.

Trust me.

 I’ve got you.

            Some cheap Bible School cookies are always good too.