Do you remember how you learned to walk? Neither do I – neither do any of us. It just happened by way of baby steps, falls and bumps that eventually took us somewhere. That’s the way it seems with a faith-walk, the place of small beginnings.
A small step but giant leap for me was way back in the day when I stopped in on a neighborhood Vacation Bible School with my kids. It was mid-summer, the kids were bored and the church was offering VBS for the week, so I thought I’d drop off my younger boys. But then, I decided to stay one morning to be a helper since my teens volunteered with crafts. I knew right after making dried noodle necklaces and singing a few stanzas of Father Abraham, I wanted to come back the next day. As a Mom.
Looking back through the lens of simpler times, I see a teacher reading from an old holy book that left a mark that never faded. We met in the corner room in the old cinderblock wing of the church. It smelled like paste and oatmeal cookies. The cracks in the walls were covered with posters of Bible story heroes – many unfamiliar to me (I was still fairly new at this ). The beautiful one that stood out was a gentle Jesus knocking at the door.
That week I noticed little souls being molded while building popsicle stick arks and making construction paper crosses. Mine was being molded right along with them as the Bible came to life with people wearing the same flesh and fear as me. Before then, I figured only super saintly, brave, unflawed giant slayers and ark builders got on the pages in featured stories.
Old Mrs Landis knew the Bible like the back of her wrinkled hand. She sat with the children under a shade tree in the church yard. It looked like a scene on the Little House on the Prairie set. Sounds archaic, but a Bible and flannel graph images of Daniel, Noah and Moses were the only tools she needed to take you there – to hear the growl in the den, the smell in the ark, and feel the heat from the burning bush. No need for techie theatrics and drama.
Thankfully, Mrs Landis welcomed an adult woman of small faith to eavesdrop on lessons meant for kids. Her gift of sharing the heartbeat of regular people who persevered and experienced miracles, trials and victories made it honest because every one of them had an untold middle. Like we do. And their yesteryear stories were written to encourage those of us today to survive the current times. Sixty-six books that make up the Bible are filled with stories that help us interpret our own, where we find unmet mentors to walk us through the middle pages to get to the other side of our story.
God kicks off His plan to redeem humanity with one man – Abraham. If you haven’t already, go ahead and read through the Genesis chapters of his life and you’ll find you’ll be able to identify with a few. And hopefully you’ll hang onto the thread throughout to the book of Revelation.
So I hope dear friend and parent, you will take opportunity in the coming weeks to drop by and listen in on a neighborhood VBS. Bible stories are not just for kids. It was the only Bible I had at the time (and now I can’t put it down even though I know how it ends).
Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
Verna
Soooo beautifully written and so true. Never stop writing Verna….your gift is always a blessing and soul refreshing! 💕💕💕
You are a sweet encouragement, Judy — the blessing is mine to write for Him!
Loved this Verna
Thank you Sandy — I so often think of you and the blessing that you are! We should have a reunion at Glenda’s!!
All I can say, Verna, is Amen to Bible Stories. You took me down memory lane as well, not only with my childhood experience in VBS and our neighborhood Good News Club, but telling stories with props and flannel boards for my grandchildren. Thank-you for reminding us.
Thank you for sending notes of encouragement, Lynda — I think so many of us have a meaningful memory to share about the special ministry of Vacation Bible School – so we should tell kids to bring their adults to VBS!
What a precious testimony Verna. It brought me back to the years Dave was in Seminary. I had the privilege of getting trained with Child Hood Evangelism, using the flannel graph. The children, my two among them, were all neighborhood kids. I will never forget the little girl who lived across the street from us. One day, she shared with me the little saying, we used a lot when we talked about the promises of God; “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.”
I was so touched by this little girl’s simple faith in Jesus and the Word of God. It’s been so long ago, I don’t even remember her name, but I look forward to meeting this little girl one day in heaven. Praise God for using those flannel graph stories to awaken the hearts of children. Love you dear friend!
I’m going to look for that little girl also! The simple faith of a child is so inspiring, thank you for sharing, Glenda.