GOD MADE ME SPECIAL; GOD MADE YOU SPECIAL, I AM SPECIAL TO GOD

That was the title of my talk with the ASP kids yesterday. And it was really fun and a blessing to me as I got to share some truths about life and in it all how God takes care of use and uses us for HIS Glory.

For a few years, between 2005-2007, I would be on again off again as a discipler to the kids. I shared my testimony to the kids back then as a way of showing them that God uses everything we go through as a means to glorify and exalt His name. It's hard to believe that the kids who I helped back then are in college! YIKES!

When I moved back to Lyndhurst in 2007, I was sadden to have had to stop attending ASP and being a disciple to ASP kids who mostly live in the coaches behind the church. I loved being part of ASP for a while and it was hard.....really hard to have given it up; I couldn't do it, not only because I was further away from the church, but because I had a full time job.... an 8-5 job; so I couldn't participate.

But God's plan changed. I became very ill last year and had to stop working. I needed something to fill that "void" but I was too ill to do anything or participate in much of anything last year. But as time passed, I'm gradually getting better. I attended my church's Children Ministry overview because I am one of the nursery coordinators. We broke up into groups to pray and my group had the ASP kids to pray for. That is when it hit me. I missed ASP so much and I just had a longing to be back in the "groove" of ASP. I told Sandy, sign me up wherever you need me! Before I knew it, I was signed up as a Pre-K Monday leader. What a blessing.

Last week, a little boy asked me what happened to me and I briefly explained what had happened. He look genuinely curious and I thought to myself that if this kindergarten child asked about me, I wonder what the other older kids are thinking? I prayed about and talked to Sandy about and that's when we both decided it was a good time to share with the kids about God and what he has done in my life.

I shared with the older kids how my health issues and disfigurement is a blessing in disguise because I know God is using it for His glory and it is what brought me to know him. I kept reminding them that you don't have to look perfect or be perfect to be special because God overlooks all the imperfections. I encouraged them to trust in God and give their lives to Him and live for His Glory. I encouraged them that through trials or hardships (and many of our kids have that), the one person who they can always count on is God, who is every present. I told them that many things can come flying at them at once, but that there is a God Bigger than that. After my talk with the "older" kids, one little girl came up to me a gave me a great big hug. She told me how sad she was because her uncle died not long ago. She look very sad and all I could do is hug her and pray with her. I told her that it is okay to be sad and that she needs to remember that she is still special in God's eyes and probably was special to her uncle. I encouraged her to look to God for strength and comfort and go to Him to find peace. I prayed with her and hugged her and she went off to her studies. I couldn't hear her name bc she was whispering it in a loud room; but God knows who she is..... won't you pray for her? She has such a tender heart.

It was then time for my sharing with the younger kids. Oddly enough I found a book in the classroom entitled "God Made You Special" (yes, a Veggie Tale story book). I thought to myself "how appropriate!" for the younger kids. Since they were younger, I had to go about my Bible club in a different more easily understood language. I talked about how special each one of us are; how special we are to our friends, family, and most importantly God. Then I asked them "do you think God cares how you look?" Most of them answered and said "NO" to which I replied "that is so true". From there I just told them that God made me look different, but I'm special in His sight. I think it's harder for the little kids to go through rough times and different family issues; but I encouraged them to not be afraid to talk about it with the "grownups" and to learn to trust us. I reminded them that just as I was made special, each one of them are special as well.

it was such a wonderful day today. I so much enjoy the kids and ministering to them. It's such a joy and privilege to see God work in the hearts of young lives.

Like I told the children, I don't wish for anything different about myself because I know I'm special in God's eyes. And friends, YOU too are special in God's eyes as well!