On this journey to find myself, I wonder if I am making this harder than it needs to be. As life has slowed a little, and I'm looking at things I want to accomplish over the summer, I am starting to see a pattern. I have just ended my 20th year of teaching. As I look at my 'To Do' list for summer, I am seeing a lot of things that have to do with kids. From prepping for next year's kindergarten, to finding games and decorating ideas for Falls Creek (7th-12th grade youth camp), to organizing Vacation Bible School. It all centers around kids that do not live in my house. Yes, my kids will be a part of this, but it is not just about them. Will I continue to do these things after my own are out of the house? Yes, I think so. Lately, well in the last couple of years, I have had a heavy burden on my heart for the younger people in my church. I see my church, as well as other churches around my, slipping. I recently heard in a podcast a saying. I will paraphrase it because I can't remember where I heard it, and comment if you know the source. The speaker said that her dad was in the navy. When asked how to steer a battleship, he would reply, 'One degree at a time'. This really hit me. I see how society has steered us one degree at a time into thinking that some sins are okay. Some even celebrated. My church has held strong to the teachings of the Bible. However, I feel we are slipping into this 'Cultural Christian' phase, where being good is enough. I see on social media where some churches are embracing actions that are a direct sin. They are teaching other parts of the Bible and not all. This is heart breaking for me. Living in the Bible belt and seeing family slip into the pattern of 'it's my child, so I will embrace the sin'. Now don't get me wrong and think that I am getting all 'Holyer than Thou'. I am a sinner, saved by the Grace of God! I am not better that others. I believe we can still love the person and not accept the sin. I would hope that my fellow Christians would do that for me. I am feeling the need to teach the Bible to our kids. In a way that is different than previously taught. I'm not a theologian, or a Bible expert, however, I feel the need to just start reading the Bible and ask God for understanding. Reading the entire Bible, not just a 'verse of the day' type Bible study. As I see society shifting, I want to instill the need for the Bible teachings, even the hard passages. The passages that don't tell about our all loving God. The passages where God has told His people to do something, and they don't. The passages about consequences for sin, the rough and dark areas. Not to scare people, but to make them think. Sin is real and so are God's consequences. We need to be aware that not everything is okay. This summer I am working on making VBS and camp fun but also teaching the Word age appropriately. Maybe I am not looking for a hobby. Maybe I am looking for a new calling. Maybe I have found it. We will see.
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