Vacation Bible School thoughts

The kids have been in VBS all week. I have to admit that the two hour break each evening was a treat for me AND them. They had a blast coming home each night with crafts and sing songy hearts.

When I was a kid, I would visit my aunt in St. Louis each summer for a few weeks. She had 7 kids and would take on me and my 2 brothers to give my single mom a break. She also babysat for a living. Her house was a zoo. I am not even sure where I slept most of the time but I am sure of the fact that I had fun!

For one week of our visit she would always send us to Vacation Bible School. I am sure that this was a strategic move on her part to get rid of the school age kids for a few hours of peace each day.

Anyway, my fondest memory of VBS other than making a matchstick cross and macaroni necklaces, was the feel of the Sunday school classrooms. It was the feeling of community and and joy of learning about Jesus. It was most likely some of the first memories I have about my God and many of them would carry me through until I found my way back to Him years later. It was definitely one of first associations with church - thankfully, it was positive.

So, I always send my kids. I think it is a good experience for them.

My 8 year old daughter seems to have a pretty firm grasp on God so far. She decided to be baptized a year or so ago to make an outward showing of her love for Jesus. For her, any time to worship God is a good time. She knows all the songs and moves by heart and could probably teach some of the lessons. Seriously.

My 5 year old thinks of God as the ultimate super hero. He imagines him as a flying, bigger than life man that can turn into a fireball in a second flat. It's been more difficult for him to get the concept of who God is. Well yeah - he's 5.

I had a lot of fun watching him this week in particular.

Early in the week they made prayer journals. On the front he drew a picture of a man. He said,

" Mom, I drew God on the front of my prayer book. I gave him brown hair. Kinda crazy brown hair. Is that okay? Do you think that is what God looks like?"

The next night I came into his room to see him madly "writing" in his journal. He can't spell more than his name right now. I asked what he was doing.

"Writing to God, Mom."

I asked what he was writing.

"Oh, how I love Him. How we are friends. Stuff like that."

Then yesterday we were listening to the CD of music from VBS and I looked in my rearview mirror to find him signing and singing to a song called, I am a Friend of God. Yes, I quietly cried right there in my car. It was beyond sweet watching a boy who wasn't even sure he wanted to go to see him now singing the songs by heart.

The biggest serious question came one night before bed when he pointed to his chest and asked me if his soul was in there.

Wow.

I remember some of these conversations with my daughter and I am excited to be having them with him. The open heart of a child to God is inspiring to me.

So, how about you? Anyone else have VBS this week?