This one time at VBS...
A three-year-old was dropped off in childcare while her mama went to volunteer with the big kids.
She cried and gripped the gate, afraid and overwhelmed.
She was held and prayed over.
She sang songs and made crafts.
She learned that Jesus loves her.
That Mommy comes back.
That church is safe.
This one time at VBS...
A volunteer new to town with a tiny baby, a toddler, and a lost sense of self showed up to help perform a skit on stage.
She gave what she had and admitted that it wasn’t much at that time.
She ran lines while putting the baby down for a nap.
Four years later, she wrote all of the skits and brought her kids with her to rehearsals.
She invited everyone she knew to join her.
She found her place and her people and thereby experienced the goodness of God.
This one time at VBS...
An overwhelmed 1st grader had a “stomachache” every day.
An adult helper sat with him in the hallway and read aloud from the Jesus Storybook Bible while he waited for the day to end.
He asked about theology and learned not only God’s truth but the importance of grown-ups who sit and are fully present.
This one time at VBS...
A child went home every day to tell her family what she learned in Missions class about the kids in Honduras who didn’t have a playground.
She cried while telling her parents about poverty and injustice.
She did extra jobs around the house to earn money to donate to the playground fund.
A heart of mercy was cultivated.
And a love for missions was born.
This one time at VBS...
A faithful volunteer showed up week after week to paint props.
She brought her kids, and they made pillow forts, had nerf wars, and visited staff members in their offices.
Church became home.
This one time at VBS...
I sat in an office writing a blog about why I love being a VBS director.
I thought about a recent leader meeting where people brought cookies and laughed and said to one another, “Come sit by me.” I saw how every person in the room was serving with their gifting and a heart for Jesus, and I said to myself, “This is a taste of what Heaven will be like.”
I remembered a small boy who accepted Christ in my office moments before someone showed up to take him to his new foster family.
I thought about my own daughter on stage a few years ago, teaching VBS dance moves along with the truth of the lyrics found in scripture. I reflected on how my own children have been at VBS almost every year of their lives and how those experiences have been a foundational part of their childhood.
I recalled the year that the kiosks didn’t work, and we had a line of parents out the door with no ability to check kids in on the very first day. God reminded me that morning that I am not in charge, and I cried out to Him for help and mercy. He was so very present and near.
Because VBS is not just about themes and crafts and decorations.
It is more than snacks and games and music.
It is sharing the Gospel and helping kids of all ages to find the hope that only Jesus can give.
It is community and teamwork and giving of ourselves.
It is joy and laughter.
It is experiencing God and helping others to do the same.
And He always shows up BIG to a party in His honor.