Smelling the Weeds!
The Most Beautiful Flower
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.
And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"
In his hand was a flower what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn, not enough rain, or too little light.
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away.
But instead of retreating he sat next to my side
And placed the flower to his nose and declared with surprise,
"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too.
That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."
The weed before me was dying......or dead.
Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."
But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.
"You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.
I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.
Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world the problem was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that's mine.
And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful Rose
And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.
Verse for the week:
My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14
Thought for the week.
I was sent this poem and wanted to share it with you. As many of us struggle with a variety of situations, decisions to be made, thoughts and feelings this week remember that God is always with us, with you and often will revel much as we are walking through the valley…
What’s Going On…
APM Conference Feb 22nd – 25
Please pray for me as I travel to Sioux Lookout with once again the opportunity to share with and encourage the children’s leaders there. Also pray that as I speak to the Sr. Pastors that they would hear the words of the Lord, not mine. That they would be spurred on to develop and grow a children’s ministry program in there churches where many have none.
Children’s Leadership Conference – BLOWN AWAY March 2nd and 3rd in Hamilton
Plans are continuing to come together for the Blown Away Conference coming up in just under 2 weeks now. If you are still wishing to register yourself, your leaders or parents in your congregation please do so (or have them do so) before Feb 28th. On-Line registration will be finished that day. If you are still wishing to come however didn’t make the on-line registration dead-line registrations will be made available at the door. Thanks for your on-going support of the conference, its going to be a great time in the presence of God! Looking forward to meeting you there and finally putting a face to some of the names I write to regularly!
Plan to Protect
Beginning on March 5th I will be focusing my kidZvillage emails on plan to protect. Reviewing for some the basics of the program as well as providing you with some interesting and fun ways of teaching it (not all my ideas, many from all of you who do an exceptional job of yearly training!) If you have some questions about plan to protect that you would like answered, or have found a fun way of training your volunteer staff etc, please forward them on to me with the subject line Plan to Protect… Let’s all work together to make this church policy a priority, but not a burden!
Have a great week serving Him!
Pam