What I GET to do on Wednesday nights

It's Wednesday evening and we have just finished dinner and are ready to go to church. Wednesday night is one of my favorite nights of the week. This is because I GET to teach STARS class. Stars is a group of 3rd-5th grade girls. These girls are some of the most creative and fun kids ever.

When I started in ministry, the first thing I got involved in was teaching STARS. I was the helper actually, because I knew NOTHING! I learned so much during those first years helping to teach that class. I learned probably more than the girls we taught.

Currently, we are learning about integrity and it has been one of my favorite units we have done so far. My prayer is that these girls are learning things that will help them grow into women who love and serve God with their whole heart.

I will confess that there are nights that I feel so incredibly inadequate to teach these girls. They are so smart and so special and there are times that I find myself wondering what on earth God is thinking letting me teach them.

I am humbled and constantly reminded that I have nothing to give but God has everything to give. I just have to work to not get in His way.

My biggest struggle is in the department of creativity. I struggle to come up with FUN ways to teach and fun things to do. I am good with the actual teaching and application of the lessons. I am good with hanging out with the girls and encouraging them. I am lacking in the creative department.

I have no idea how I taught Stars so long ago (15 years) without Pinterest and Google! Seriously, I cannot remember how I managed to come up with anything fun!

I am blessed to teach along side a wonderful friend, Heather. She has no idea how much her being in this class with me means. She is kind, gentle and such a calming force for me, and she is very good at the creative! I am beyond thankful for her and her willingness to serve these girls with me.

I learned early on in ministry that we GET to do things for the Lord. We do not HAVE to! We GET to! This is truly how I see the ministry opportunities that God gives. This attitude changed my Christian walk.

I believe that when you are working and being used, you feel useful, and that feeling alone can transform your life. It feels good to be useful in the Kingdom of God. We can all be useful somewhere in the church.

Are you listening to the voice of the Lord to hear where He wants to use you? Are you asking Him what He has for you to do? I hope so!

Lord,
My prayer tonight is that you would help me to slow down and see these girls. Help me to speak life and encouragement into their lives only. Lord us me and my friend Heather to minister to these girls and be what they need tonight. Thank you that we get to be your arms hugging them. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of their lives. Use us Lord, each week I ask that you use us. I pray for every reader, Lord, that they would seek you to find what you have for them to do. Let us all be useful in your Kingdom Father. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen