I'm completely willing to look like an idiot...

So, this week at our church is VBS (vacation Bible School). It has been exhausting, but so rewarding.

My role in the whole production is the music lady. I'm pretty sure I have a more official title, but I can't remember what it is. Basically, for the first 15 minutes of the day, I get the kids excited for VBS. I introduce the verse of the day, and lead them in a couple of songs. Every morning we also have a short skit that relates to the lesson we're learning on that day. For the last 15 minutes of the day, I review what they've learned and lead them in a couple of other songs. In between all of this, I have 5 different sessions where I teach music to help the kids learn the actions for the songs.

I pretty much don't stop moving for 3 straight hours. If I'm dull and bored, the kids will be dull and bored. So, I get to act like a kid again - wild and slightly out of control. The thing is - the kids actually pay more attention the crazier I get.

As I've gotten more comfortable with my role, I've loosened up. And my dancing is evidence of this. I want the kids to not worry about what they look like, but to just have fun with the music. What better way, then if I act like an idiot - and don't care. A few of my older boys just sat looking bored during the first two days of music. Then God gave me an idea - we had a dance competition yesterday with our song of the day. They LOVED it. Suddenly, I wasn't the only crazy one in the room. They were getting down!

So, I've decided - it is totally worth it for me to look like an idiot if it can loosen the kids (heck - maybe even their parents) up enough to listen to the message.

Today, they heard the gospel message. As we were going over the lesson at the end of the day I had a very familiar sensation. When I taught in Haiti, I felt such a passion about what I was saying - that God loved them. Well, today the lesson was that God loves us-no matter what! (Think of Peter and the story of him denying Christ). As I was telling them that even though Peter let Jesus down, Jesus never stopped loving him. That same passion was coursing through me. I was almost in tears it affected me that much.

But since the crazy side of me was able to break down some barriers, I have full confidence that God used the passionate side he gave me to speak to his children. I am so thankful for my experience this week. And I hope for many more opportunities to be an idiot for my God. It's totally worth it!