VBS....Is it just me or does it sound a little like a Social Disease?

(photo courtesy of championmonkey.com)


I don't know if it's because summer is about to begin or what, but my mind keeps wandering to  childhood things.

Or maybe my childish tantrums have gotten me out of whack.
Maybe it's the reality that summer doesn't feel the same at 45 as it did at 5.
Or 10.
It's always been my very most favorite season of all.

This year, I am committing to enjoying the outdoors, popsicles, watermelon and swinging and slides.
I'm also super excited about getting to help with the Summer Backyard Bible Club...also known as, "VBS."

Which honestly, is kind of annoying to me.
Sure, I'm totally pumped about the stories and the activities and the opportunity to bring Jesus to life for young children.

I'm just not so thrilled with the marketing efforts I'm seeing out there.
My heart is always on the people who aren't in the pews on Sunday.
And I think some of the advertising just stinks.
It seems so, exclusive.

All day, as I drive around town, I see banners and church signs that simply say, VBS and then some given dates.

What??? That's it? VBS June 7-11th?
Heads up body of believers..........not everyone knows that stands for Vacation Bible School!!

If I didn't attend church regularly, I would not even know what that meant and I certainly wouldn't just stop by to find out.

In fact, as an avid church avoider for many years, I'd step on the gas when passing by and roll my eyes thinking it was some sort of Holy Roller Designation for those seeking to be super spiritually qualified.

I wouldn't know that the church with the boring banner actually WELCOMES all children to these events, whether your family attends church or not.

I apologize for the un-exciting marketing efforts.
The stories of the bible are exciting and awesome and entertaining for people of all ages!
And life changing.

Got some errands to run? Drop 'em off at VBS.
Shopping list a mile long? Drop 'em off at VBS.
Have to post bail and pick up your cousin from the county jail? Drop 'em off at VBS.

It can change a child's life.
It changed mine.

When I was about 5 or 6 years old, my mom dropped me off at one.
We were Catholic and this was not.
It was another denomination and I couldn't even tell you which one.

But, I can tell you that I remember sitting in that room like it was yesterday.
I remember where I was sitting and the smell of the room.
I remember that they told us about Jesus as we cut and pasted and glued.
The fun glue.
The kind in the jar with the stick in the lid that you are not supposed to get caught eating or sniffing.

We cut and pasted and glued Jesus and his disciples to popsicle sticks.
And then we slid them through slits of paper that we colored like brown dirt roads and we played with him and his disciples, moving them this way and that way. 
They told me that Jesus loved me.
I'll never forget it.

And it stuck.

Even through all of the years of rebellion and running the opposite way of his popsicle stick, he somehow managed to stay with me.
We sang, "This Little Light of Mine," and I left that classroom, determined to shine.

I haven't felt very sparkly these last few weeks.
In fact, as I was driving the other day I started thinking about a game we used to play called, "Red Rover, Red Rover."

We'd form two lines far away from each other, lock arms tightly and yell, "Red Rover, Red Rover, send so-and-so on over!"
And that person then ran fast toward us, trying to break through.

I'm a very visual person, and as I thought about that game, it occurred to me that when playing Red Rover, you always called out the one who appeared weakest, first.

When the person came running, trying to break through the opposing barrier, often, they just got flung back and landed with some grass stains on their backside.

I've lost my balance lately and am realizing once again how important it is to stay strong.
To stay balanced.
To get enough rest.
To keep my eyes fixed on the one who keeps me strong instead of just focusing on my weaknesses or what seems like a stronger, opposing force field.

I'm sure somewhere out there in VBS land, they will teach about David and how, although he appeared to be the weaker opponent, he still had super boldness and faith to ask, "Who are you to come against the army of the living God?"

They'll probably leave out the part where he cuts off Goliath's head and parades it around for all to see. But, if it were my class, oh boy!!
I'd have them making homemade slingshots to take down that giant!
Then I'd reach into my super fun prop bag and whip out dead heads I found at Party City for each and every one to show off!!

And then we'd enjoy a sweet chorus of, "This Little Light of Mine," of course.

I know there are lots of activities to choose for your children this summer.
But please, please, please, let VBS be one of them.

Red Rover, Red Rover.....keep my head on till it's over.
Just kidding.
We are doing the story of Joseph.
One of my absolute favorites!!

............let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!