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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Volunteer (11/23/06)
What is it about Pastor's wives? Elder's wives? Team leading ladies? Ladies who hob nob together in the nation's churches? You can’t step into a church for more than two Sundays in a row without them swooping down on you like vultures! “Would you care to help with children’s church some Sunday? We are always needing help.”
Do I have a sign around my neck reading ‘Nanny’ or what? It’s not that I dislike kids. I love children. I pray all the time for the children of the world. I want all children to grow up happy, safe, well fed. I worry about the today’s future generation all the time. It is baffling. It is outright irritating at times. It is a never ending race to see who is faster. Me heading toward the door after church services or the hob nobbers who run after me.
Do I look like I am the children’s church type? Sure, I know my bible very well. I read it and study it so often that I have discovered I know it as well as some pastor’s in some of the churches I have attended, but does that make me a children’s church person? You need patience for that. I need revived. I have my own children. Why does everyone think I qualify as a children’s church volunteer?
I stopped in the middle of my prayer … my rant to the Lord as he whispered the answer to me. Because you applied for the job when you said you wanted to follow me. You know what following me involves. “...do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return” [Luke 6:35] (NAS). You know that lending is not always about money, but also about the talents and gifts I have given you.
I froze on my knees as I recalled His words in scripture. ‘And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it {at all.} And He took them in His arms and {began} blessing them, laying His hands upon them.’ [Mark 10:13-16] (NAS) Yes, the day I accepted Jesus as my Savior I had volunteered to walk as He had walked.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Donna Powers
12/02/06
A very clearly written reminder that we are called to be His representatives on earth. Nice work.
Myrna Noyes
12/05/06
I think churches swoop down on new members because they have more positions to fill than they do people to fill them! I don't think they mean to scare "newbies" away, but unfortunately, that is often the result.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this all-too-prevalent situation! Also, don't let it stop you from volunteering in areas of your talents and giftings! :)
Lynda Schultz 
12/06/06
Very good point made here. This line hit me over the head: " Because you applied for the job when you said you wanted to follow me. You know what following me involves."