Love Is All You Need

VBS is so rewarding.

I've volunteered for VBS now for 10 years, 4 of which I have been the head director of the operation.

As of tomorrow night, I will be passing the director position on to someone else. (unknown, but I know it will be my last night as director). It's going to be bittersweet. I have grown so much as a teacher from all of my VBS work, and it really reminded me that teaching is my calling.

Tonight reminded me of why I have continued to say, "YES." to volunteering.

Being greeted by so many students with a warm, loving "Hi Dylan!"- Tonight, we were short on kitchen help, so I got thrown into the serving line. We were serving pizza rounds, and it was so much fun conversing with the children as they came through.

I lead the children in the devotion in a hippo song. I could get used to singing into a microphone. It was rewarding to see the smiles on their faces and hear everyones laughter as we sang the song faster and faster.

And then, during my lesson period, everyone wanted to be way up close to me, on my lap. We talked about the resurrection, and then we made signs that said, "Jesus died and rose FOR YOU!" and we went around together and practiced being missionaries passing them out. It was so rewarding to see such little children sharing their faith in such simple ways.

Most of all, it was rewarding being loved. By my colleagues, whom I laughed a lot with, and by the children. And letting the love of Jesus come out.

The artist of that song got it right, "Love is all you need..."

You know, there are a few people, who, through this journey made me feel like I didn't deserve to be loved. Like I deserved to be sick, like I had coming to me all that had happened. They made me feel so bad, so low, and so loveless. Like I was not worthy of anyone's love or affection.

But they were wrong. They who said, "You don't deserve to be loved!" were wrong.

I DO deserve to be loved. And I am so thankful for all of my blog followers, who show love through their comments. For my colleagues in ministry, who show love through our work together. For my family, and for my faithful friends who have showed love to me no matter the condition I've been in.

Love never fails. As Just me posted in her Bible blog the other day, a verse from Proverbs 10, "Love covers all wrongs..."

Most importantly, I have the love of God and Jesus.

No matter who you encounter in your life, whether it be a close friend, a coworker, an enemy, etc., I encourage you to do three things:
1) Help the person.
2) Pray for the person.
3) Love the person.

Even as you have done for me throughout my struggles.

Blessings:
-I discovered nature music with Tibetan singing bowls today. It is one of the most relaxing sounds I've heard.

-I got a great deal on ebay

-I got to go above and beyond my call today and jump in the VBS kitchen

-There were some amazing peanut butter/chocolate bars served after dinner tonight.

-I made people laugh to the point of tears tonight

-I am getting to go to bed early tonight (mostly because I have to be to work at the crack of dawn).

-I got my hymns for the big church I'm playing at this weekend- both Saturday and Sunday- looking forward to it!

-Thank you all for the helpful comments on yesterday's post!