Hi Parents,

This is Becky, writing on behalf of the Kids Ministry team.

I think we all hit the wall this week when we realized this is not a sprint…it’s a marathon. It got a little overwhelming…did you feel it? Personally, when I heard we’d be social distancing at least through April 30, my heart sank. So, I called my mom.

Mom is 92 years old. She lives alone in a retirement apartment in McKinney. We tried to get her to move in with my brother for a few weeks during the Corona virus, but she is comfortable in her own space and decided to stay put. As she told me, “We made it through the Great Depression. We made it through World War II. We’ll make it through this.” And then, she told me about only being allowed one pair of shoes during the war, having to use rationing coupons to purchase gas, sugar, and other necessities, and how at least this time… we have everything we need. All we have to do is stay home. My Mom isn’t a whiner, she’s a warrior. And she wants to finish well. That makes me want to be a warrior too. And finish well.

So my weary friends, let’s choose to be warriors. Join me in knowing these few truths:

• Ephesians 1:22 God put all things under His (Jesus) feet. That means all people, all circumstances, all diseases, all trials, all afflictions, all emotions. If Jesus has all authority, that means someone has none. Ummm…me. I have none. (Even though I’d like to, because I’m a control freak.) And COVID 19 – it has none. And fear or weariness – none.
• Isaiah 49:16 I will not forget you. I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. That’s comforting when the world is overwhelming, you’re on 24/7, managing multiple zoom calls a day with multiple kids and multiple teachers, preparing three meals a day, the kids are fighting, your head is splitting, you’re trying to work from home OR you’re heading out into the unknown because you are an essential worker. He’s holding you right now.
• Luke 18:1 We should always pray and not give up. No explanation needed. Warriors, not whiners.
• Galatians 6:9 Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. This speaks to it all, not growing weary, not giving up, the fact that this is for a season, and if we persevere we will reap a harvest. Have you thought about what you are sowing and what you hope to reap at the end of this season?
  • Love is spelled “T.I.M.E.” My prayer is that you are sowing love as you spend time with your kids. My hope is you are sowing memories of pillow fights, or picnics in the backyard, or s’mores nights, or worshipping together as a family on Sundays, or sitting at the table eating dinner together and actually talking to each other. My prayer is that you redeem the days. When Tropical Storm Alicia hit the Gulf Coast in the 80’s, we spent fourteen days without electricity. To this day, my kids don’t remember the sweltering August heat, the flooded streets, or the unrelenting mosquitoes. All they remember is showering in the rain and dancing in the dark by candlelight. May it be the same for you. Make good memories.
• Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Zero in on the words, “the life I now live.” The life we now live is not the life we lived a month ago. But the life we now live is a faith journey…and we are honored and privileged to be taking our kids with us. We are not stuck at home, as Steven Morris said in his message Wednesday night, but we have been sent home to grow in our faith and love our people.

So rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice! Wait, what? I have to rejoice, then I have to do it again? Yep. Because we are warriors!

Have you in my heart,
Becky, on behalf of the Kids Ministry team

Champions
Stephanie Chase, Kids Minister
Becky Marshall, Preschool Minister
Annette Flores, Special Blessings
Brandy Christoph, Ministry Assistant

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A Note from Your Kids Ministry Team

If you missed previous notes from Your Kids Ministry Team or just want to refer back, select a link below for past notes of encouragement.
How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
Relax. We’re Here For You
I Go To Big Church Now