Our week of adventure continues even though most of the state is blowing away in dust.  We just about doubled our attendance numbers tonight.  Attitudes seem to be holding up despite the temperatures.  Lots of good things take place during VBS.  You get to meet new people as they bring children into our building.  The kids themselves are always fun to be around.  I know they can get wild on occasion but that's just what they do.  Sometimes we can forget what it was like being that age.  There are also times when we may wish we shared their wonder and excitement.  One can hope our week continues to grow in spirit and number.

My public connection to Jesus took place during VBS many years ago.  It was the end of a process of thinking, talking and learning about what faith means.  I can recall with clarity stepping out of that pew to indicate my desire to become a follower of Jesus.  Here is one reason this week means so much to me.  This evening we heard of two of my favorite people doing just what I did a long time ago.  Two of our young girls are talking with parents on what it means to become a believer.  Perhaps this is the end of their journey into faith in God.  We will follow up with them also.  It makes the entire week worth it when lives are eternally changed.  Dealing with young people like this can be a challenge but it is one we embrace.

My personal theology says that God does indeed love all the children of the world.  He loves kids of every race, gender and ethnic group.  They mean the world to Him as displayed in the life of Jesus.  We wonder at times how grace works in their life.  Reality is that some of this is a mystery throughout scripture.  No single verse or passage tells us what age is the cut off for His care.  Part of our struggle is we view grace as a single moment in time at conversion.  We may forget that grace is God's offer over a lifetime.  I tend to affirm any child who indicates their interest or desire to come to God in faith.  Sometimes we discover their journey is still growing.  We even find out that the child needs more understanding of what is involved.  Many just want to go through baptism without the slightest idea of its value.  We also may uncover a true faith or trust in Jesus for their life.  Maybe the stack of sin is not quite as large as some people but they do know what it is all about.  This is when I encourage parents to allow us to move to baptism to anchor their life to a moment in time.  Some students later make a new affirmation based on years of growing but they can look to that moment when we took them serious as a believer.

Faith is never simple or easy for any of us.  But many children seem to grasp it with a clear view of where their heart lies.  No wonder Jesus told us to be like little children when it comes to our journey of faith.  We could all use a dose of their trust in Him.  Adulthood often seems crowded and confusing.  Maybe trust is not something we ever were meant to forget.  Don't let the scars of growing older keep you from rekindling your simple faith in God.  He does indeed love all of the little children.  He also loves all of us.

Bro. Trey