A Sunday School Teacher

 

Qualifications of a Minister

When I was a young woman and a new convert, a new born again Christian barely saved for about six months, I heard of a need for a Sunday school teacher in our small church. By small I mean about 20-25 people. I came to my church in the 'pioneer stage', we were growing in numbers one soul at a time. Our little church had 3, sometimes 4 adolescent children that needed someone to teach them about Gods and his word. Wow! "That would be nice, to teach the children about Jesus" I thought. Then I laughed to myself because I remembered that I was in need of being taught so much.  I imagined that to be in any kind of ministry, a person must have certain degrees or certifications to qualify. I was unlearned and inexperienced. Maybe one day, when I had prepared, I could be a Sunday school teacher myself. 

Let No Man Despise Your Youth

You can imagine my surprise the following Sunday when my pastor's wife mentioned again the need for a teacher. I worked up the courage to ask her what was needed to be able to fill that ministry need and how much experience did I need?. She smiled and said, “Well, you must be saved of course. Other than that, just a right heart and willingness to teach and help our kids.” Incredible. I wondered if she could use me? So I nervously offered. Another week passed. Another sister, one that was older, perhaps with experience, and she was a wife and mother had also made herself available. I was embarrassed that I had offered, right then and there I dropped it out of my mind.

On the fourth Sunday, I was delighted, shocked and worried all at once when Kathy, my pastor's wife, asked me to be the new Sunday school teacher. Oh what an honor I felt, yes, she had asked me, but God had seen my heart. I so desired to be a Sunday School teacher. From that day, at nineteen years old I was a Sunday school teacher for about thirty years. My students were adolescent kids. That age group can have a bad rep sometimes but despite the dark cloud that hangs over them at times, adolescents are raw with emotion and sometimes need us more than ever.  

A Shift in Ministry

My life came to an almost halt one day when caregiving for my father was necessary. Then came the moment that I had to step down from my ministry. It took a long time for me to accept that I had to. I didn’t want to quit. then it took some time to let it go. When I did, I was busy, my hands were full, my father needed me and the ministry was thriving with new young teachers. Some of them had been my students. So I focused on my fathers need for a savior and for a caregiver and with my sister and we gave all that we could until he rested.

They Will Still Bear Fruit in Old Age: Ps 92:14

Then once again, my lovely God let me hear of a need for a Sunday School teacher. My heart pitter pattered. That couldn’t be, we had a thriving church with plenty of wise young and younger women that could teach these little children. Should I ask the Sunday School director about it? Would she even consider me again? Could I even do it? I was so different and maybe this generation of kids was too. So I tentatively approached the director and wondered if it was true. “Do you really need a Sunday School teacher? I wonder if you could use me? Will you pray with me about it? And so we prayed. 

I’m A Sunday School Teacher Again!

A volcano of emotions erupted this past week as I counted my busy days before my first Sunday back. I pondered at the wonder of teaching children that were my grand children's age. Lil Alba calls me “Momma Rosie”. I marveled at the idea of partnering with one of my old Sunday school students. I wanted everything to be perfect, but I over-prepared. How do you teach a just and balanced lesson on the Plague of the First Born? Be careful and gentle the lesson warned. More study, less details, oh I was nervous for sure. Before I knew it I was teaching our "little Angels" of the church. Little Everly said “When are we gonna do the craft? We always do crafts.” Oops! I didn’t plan a craft. I wanted to know how I did, but I didn’t want to know. It’s probably best that I do not know anyway. However, what I am taking from that first day back to Sunday School is this:

Two of my students wanted to be near the new Sunday School teacher (me) as we prayed at the altar. And, Little Kate, who has never ever really known that I exist, this past Sunday, she said “Bye Miss Rosie” as I was leaving. That made me feel validated. So very happy to be back on the saddle again!

I Found My Pen Again

So much has happened since the last time I posted on my blog. I was gonna say, “since I was back on the Narrow Path” but I realized that by Gods grace, which is sufficient for me, I haven’t gotten off the Narrow Path. I just stopped writing here. Of course it wasn’t intentional but like so often it happens, I dropped my pen and couldn't find it for a while.  I also have had to resist the onslaught of covid manipulating my way of life. 

Reality News:

In June of 2020 my baby, not so baby, graduated from high school, thankfully the pandemic did not steal his celebration completely. He got the spotlight with our own family celebration at home. Things happened so quickly that he landed on his feet with two jobs on his plate and as he figured out how to practice adult life. My husband and I were left with the sobering reality that all our children were now adults. For a moment I thought my job as mom was over 😕, no more picking up after them, no more teaching them. But with our middle son calling for help often enough, I am relieved to know, it's never over, but it definitely has

shifted.

Then came the bittersweet passing of my dad. My apa at 96 years old finished his race well and went home to Jesus, to rest. He was buried in his beloved Imperial Valley, where he was always close enough to Mexico to water his roots. His constant presence and need had absolutely filled my days for so long, then his absence left me with a void in my heart and in my life. Taking care of him with my sister changed our lives so much. I have had to adjust to some of my old ways again.

Joyful Tidings:

I am now abuela to 8 little loves! My latest grandchild was born last year, the day after Thanksgiving- What a bountiful season we had. 

My Other Blog:

The last time I posted here was in November of 2020, and it was also when I was starting my 2nd blog, Mexicanamericangirl.com. This time I acquired a savvy, quick study Social Media Manager. She assigned me to "just the writing" and told me not to worry about any of the technical stuff.  I would go on telling you what a great girl she is, but I shouldn’t, yet. My new blog is about my life stories and my apas almost 100 years of life experiences. I have absolutely loved sharing them, looking back and seeing all that God has done always amazes me.

My First Blog:

Now that I’ve learned some things and established some goals, I’ve come back to share my heart.

See, nobody reads my journal, lots of messy thoughts get examined and tucked away in there, rarely to be seen by me ever again, especially if I’ve had break thru and resolution. However, I have found more and more that I share the thoughts in it quite a bit. Don’t misunderstand, it’s not that my thoughts are so great, they’re not. On the other hand,  it’s the incredible way God reveals his heart to me  as I’m seeking and searching for his truths. He is so personal and yet so universal many times. I say to myself “I must share this with so and so, she will be just as encouraged as I’ve been”

I have missed writing here, I’m glad I’m returning, with a prayer for consistency I'm looking forward to letting you come into some of the rooms in my mind and scan some pages from my journal.

Psalms 107:2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he has redeemed from trouble (ESV)