My husband is the children and youth pastor at our church. He leads the children's service for the 6-12 year olds on Sundays, and leads the the weekly youth service.
This past Sunday was our week off to sit in the main service. When the younger children (up to age 5) were released to go to their classes, I followed them out to ensure that each of the classes were fine. When I got to the nursery there were several mommies and babies waiting outside of a locked door. There was no nursery worker. And worse, with further investigation, there was no nursery worker scheduled!!
I returned to my husband, seated at the front of the church, to inform him of this dilemma. He made his way to the back and unlocked the door. The mommies cheered. I was concerned. I knew that even though the door to the nursery was now open, there still was no one to run it this week.
Once the crowd of mommies cleared, I told my husband that these poor ladies were not going to be too happy with the fact that we didn't have a worker available. It took me a moment to catch up. I suddenly looked at him and said, "You're not planning to stay in the nursery are you?"
"Yes, why not?", my husband said. "I can do it. Someone has to."
So, the two of us, along with three junior high helpers worked the nursery.
It was great!
The babies were fun. The helpers were amazing!
When the service was over, my husband said, "I don't know why more couples don't do this!"
Mark & I have been leading children's ministry for 10 years and this was the first time we have worked in the nursery. We had spent Friday and Saturday at a children's ministry conference and it seem quite ironic that we were able to work in an area that normally our volunteers would be. This gave us a great chance to view things from their perspective. While in the nursery, we took the opportunity to make a list of things that we noticed they were in need of.
What do you do when you run into a dilemma? Do you allow yourself to be part of the solution? Are you willing to do whatever it takes? We're all called to serve. When we allow ourselves to be part of the solution; we are also part of the blessing!
9 comments:
I so loved this story! What a testimony to the young and old! Melissa
I bet the mommies were relieved to have you two in there! How wonderful that your husband stepped up to do that.
This is one of the many reasons our family admires yours.
I don't know that I have ever heard you complain about situations like this. (although I'm sure you have!! Lol)
You are both true servants.
Thank you.
(although I wasn't there I"m sure Aliah loved it!!)
Blessings Mark and Rhonda...it was probably refreshing in many ways to work with this age group...not so much in the diaper changing end though!
I have an award for you on my site. This is my first and I am not sure if I am doing this correctly. Anyway, stop by! Melissa
Amy - I loved spending time with Aliah - she's adorable! And instead of a name tag on her back, her sticker said "I love the Patriots!"
Jen - We didn't change ANY diapers. That was what our helpers were for. :)
What a great and glorious gift he (and you) showed the parents, the volunteers, and the rest of the church family that day.
As someone who was the Preschool Director at our church for 4 years before becoming the Membership Pastor it makes me SO happy to see that you guys (even though I already knew this) were GET IT DONE people.
Who better to serve than you, and what an example you have set!
Well Done!
xoxo,
Melissa
Way to go Rhonda and Mark!!
I think we should let Kevin and Mark do nursery together some week - as my husband LOVES babies!!
Wow! I am the volunteer nursery director at my church and have been for ten years. While we have a paid staff that consists of 4 college girls, they often have college obligations, or trips home. So many times at least one of our four nurseries is unmanned. I have missed Easter service every year for the last five years. I love those children and wish that more people would see the blessing it is to work with God's youngest gifts. But it is also a blessing to be able to receive sometimes. Although you filled in for a paid staffer, you blessed those mommies. I know it, and who knows the seeds that were planted that morning because of your obedience.
May God return to you a thousand fold the time you gave up to serve His children.
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