Last night was a great night at ILA. We had the most students there we have had in a long time. We had a group of soon to be sixth grade students visit and see ILA for themselves. WE had some new parents and volunteers there to check things out too! We even honored some of our leaders who will be going on to different things next year! The students were having a great night!
But after ILA was over, I was not pleased at all! As a matter of fact I was down right ticked off! Why? What was the big thing that happened to steal my joy from last night, well there were two things!
1. My object lesson during the sermon did not work. I had some water in a cup and put food coloring in it to represent mankind's sinful nature. I talked about how sin muddies our life and without outside influence we are helpless. Then I poured bleach into the glass, which should have changed the water back to looking "clear". I tried this several times at home to make sure it worked...and with several different food colors and it worked beautifully. Last night in the middle of my sermon...it did not! ARGUHHHHHH!
When we got home, my kids said it was a great message and that it may have worked even better with the message that the "trick" didn't work. I was just upset it didn't go the way it was supposed to!
2. Worship time. I had worked very hard to put together a PowerPoint with some new music for the kids to worship to. It was going to be fantastic. We were going to show all of our visitors how we can adore God with our voices...I picked some great songs. My computer and the projector at the church had some other ideas. They would simply not communicate, no PowerPoint for the students to see + new songs = no worship! All of my hard work down the tubes...
Never mind that we had a blast playing games with the students instead. It was a great time for the kids to have some relational unstructured time....no We WERE SUPPOSED TO WORSHIP!
So last night I get home...and I am pouting...like a two year old who did not get some silly toy at the store... all because my plans didn't go according to my plans. ILA students had a great night but I was mad because I did get my way.
What is wrong with me? Seriously what is my deal! I am so sorry Lord...please continue to decrease me, so that you may be increased! Even if....actually, especially if I am pouting! And may I find joy in your plans that are way better than anything I could imagine!
Oh how I get your frustration! It is hard when you put work into building the kingdom and it goes down the tubes...but then, God. How He does His own thing despite our best plans and it ends up being truly the best.
ReplyDeleteYour efforts ARE paying off for the kingdom. Your heart towards it all is beautiful, even your pouting shows your passion (and your humanity) Thank you for sharing your struggle with it all.
Great insight Mike. Glad to see you're listening to the Lord's promptings. Don't let pride be a stumbling block for the work God wants to do through you. Oh what a foothold the enemy can have through our pride. I will pray in agreement with you for less of you that God might be increased. Such wisdom and humility and boldness in sharing your testimony. Praise be to God!
ReplyDeleteToni and Amy,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your words of affirmation!