Walking Dogs
Resurrection Help, Retaining Volunteers, Entrusting Friendship, and Kindergarten Romance
The weather finally warmed up here in Louisville this week, which means I’m finally out of excuses to take our dog on regular walks around the neighborhood again. She gets plenty of time outside in our backyard, but spends most of that time on a lead. You see, she’s evolved into some sort of olympic puppy athlete that can jump our fence, and when she’s gone it takes an act of God or a tranquilizer dart to slow her down. All that to say, Birdie needs plenty of exercise to burn off that energy and keep her tuckered out.
As soon as she sees the harness she knows what time it is. I get her clipped in, and off we go. Shockingly, she’s forgotten everything she knows about how walk beside me without pulling against the leash like a mule. She’s still a puppy, and its training we haven’t worked on most of the winter. This adorable little thirty pound dog tries her best to yank me down the sidewalk so she can get to whatever mysterious scent has found it’s way into her nostrils.
I start over with the same training regimen we left off with when the weather was still warm. I stop when she yanks so she has to come back to me, then I take a step and off she goes. Again and again we repeat this process, trying to jumpstart her excited brain to remember how to walk without wearing herself out or popping my shoulder out of socket. I get frustrated, she gets frustrated, and we both make it home a little bit disappointed with how things went.
I’ve shown her how to respond to the leash time and time again, and yet she’s prone to forget. She wants to go her own way instead of staying beside me. She’s shown grace when she fails, and receives blessings (treats) when she obeys. But for some reason she continues to falter. Who does this remind you of?
Watching Birdie figure all this out reminded me of my own spiritual journey. I know God’s way is best, how to seek his face, where to go to experience his word, and what it looks like to follow him. Despite all that, I still yank on that proverbial leash as foolishly as Birdie does. I fight against what he’d have me do. I try to run at my own pace and chase after whatever my version of a squirrel is.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Despite my failures, God is kind and merciful. Jesus’s words in Matthew 11 remind me that his yoke is easy, and his burden light. That he offers rest when I’ve exhausted myself chasing after whatever I value in the moment. In his grace, he uses all sorts of tools to help me stay on the path he’s got me on. He sets his word before me, he sends his Spirit to offer conviction and encouragement, he gives me family and friends that gently point out my sin, and remind me of who God has made me to be. His patience and generosity know no bounds.
Resurrection Help (Kids Min)
“Easter is an opportunity for us to be intentional with our kids and bold with our unbelieving neighbors. It’s a time to invite the neighbors over to hunt eggs in the backyard and share a chocolate bunny. Most importantly it’s a time to share the story and the joy of the resurrection.” This is an old piece from Jared highlighting the value of telling kids the story of the resurrection, and showing the joy of the resurrection. I’m pointing you here for two reasons. First, Easter is right around the corner and it’s always helpful to get some teaching tips before diving into the resurrection with kids. Second, you’ll find this article on our newly updated GCF website. Check out the new layout, functioning search bar, and graphic elements!
Retaining Volunteers (Student Min, Kids Min)
“Retaining volunteers also keeps you from starting over with an entirely new set of leaders each year. It can take a lot of time to get new leaders oriented to the policies and practices of your ministry. If your team includes mostly those who have served previously, you can hit the ground running at the start of each new ministry year.” Last week, Eric dropped a piece on recruiting folks to your ministry team. This week, he followed up with what it looks like to retain a team from one year to the next. Volunteer retention is key to finding positive ministry momentum, and fostering deeper relationships with kids and students. He offers five practical ways to pour into an encourage your team so they might consider a long-term investment into the kids and students of your church.
Entrusting Friendship (Discipleship)
“I had my own ideas for my friends. I wanted our children to grow up together, to have them lead me through the various seasons of parenthood, and spend years sharing meals in our homes. I wanted my will for my friends, not God’s.” A quick piece from Lara D’Entremont on friendship, seeking God’s will above our own, and the power of God friends to help us chisel away the rough edges of our sin. It’s hard to say goodbye to friends, leaders, or volunteers the Lord has drawn near, but we trust that God knows what he’s doing in directing their steps (and our own). These goodbyes can be especially hard in the context of our church community, or a ministry team. We trust that God knows what he’s doing bringing friendships in and out of our lives.
Kindergarten Romance
This love story starts like all the great ones do, with a lunchbox note from his mom. Who knew a sweet note could do so much damage? Here’s hoping they find a good therapist and work their way through it together. Thoughts and prayers. 😂