happy new year!

Here's something to celebrate... the 2019 scope and sequence is completed and posted!!  As I reflect on this past year, I am grateful that God has graciously given me this platform to support and bless so many of you in your own places of ministry.  I hear from many of you throughout the year, and each time, I am encouraged and blessed to know that we are partnering together to lead little ones to Jesus. 

As much as we love Jesus and the children we serve, the truth is that at times we feel discouraged.  There are hard days, when the children seemed interested in talking about everything else except the lesson you've prepared.  Or when a child has an accident, so your plans get derailed because you take the time to clean up the child and the mess on the floor.  Or when a child throws a fit at clean-up time, then makes for an escape, so you chase after him, and he kicks you in the process.  (That happened to me just this Sunday!) 

Even on the hard days, remember that beyond our lessons and our plans, we are the hands of feet of Jesus to every child who enters our classrooms each week.  Our Savior takes notice of us, and He promises to reward us, because however small the act of service may seem, we are serving as His disciples, in His name, for His glory.  "And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward" (Matthew 10:42). 

Be encouraged!  Know that you are not alone.  There are literally thousands of us, serving in our corner of the world, doing a great work in the place that God has planted us.  "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9). I pray that you are refreshed and strengthened for every good work in the year ahead. Blessings to you all!