I was literally “freaking out”!! The Sunday school kids were scheduled to give their monthly presentation at the church the next Sunday and I was not quite sure that they were well prepared. Sure we did practice, but not to my satisfaction; coupled with it was the fact that I felt guilty for being unable to teach them well the previous Sunday-I had been suffering from a slight dehydration for the last few days and so I was less energetic. I was sure I had rub off some negative vibes onto the kids.
During the week, I found myself constantly thinking about it- what could be done, where did it go wrong , what was the worst that could happen and how to handle it ,etc.! I feared that if they don’t do well it will harm their self-esteem, establish a pattern of mediocre performance, and they will fail to realize the intensity of the utmost need to glorify God through their works and also that they might take the presentation in the church lightly and thereby never learn the importance of sanctity of standing before God and the congregation. I was restless, I couldn’t give full concentration to any other work, I dreamed that they were standing in front of the congregation not knowing what to do and I had to rise up and handle the situation; my heart was unsettled. I recalled the reasons why I had previously taken a break from Sunday School : one of them was my inability to multitask effectively, I get too much involved in a thing that I lose my wider perspective. Over the years, I have learned to handle a wide range of things much better and so coupled with the fact that I missed the kids a lot, I “paid a visit “ to Sunday School again and found myself happily stuck there! But now I found myself slipping into the old pattern again. I prayed about it, examined my attitudes regarding the issue- Was I basing my worth on the kids’ performance? Do I have a surrendered will? Am I trying to be a control- freak? Can I really admit that I am worrying?... I messaged my co-teachers and they were so kind as to reassure me that everything will be okay. I felt better, lighter and decided that we’ll face the situation right on without fear.
During the week, I found myself constantly thinking about it- what could be done, where did it go wrong , what was the worst that could happen and how to handle it ,etc.! I feared that if they don’t do well it will harm their self-esteem, establish a pattern of mediocre performance, and they will fail to realize the intensity of the utmost need to glorify God through their works and also that they might take the presentation in the church lightly and thereby never learn the importance of sanctity of standing before God and the congregation. I was restless, I couldn’t give full concentration to any other work, I dreamed that they were standing in front of the congregation not knowing what to do and I had to rise up and handle the situation; my heart was unsettled. I recalled the reasons why I had previously taken a break from Sunday School : one of them was my inability to multitask effectively, I get too much involved in a thing that I lose my wider perspective. Over the years, I have learned to handle a wide range of things much better and so coupled with the fact that I missed the kids a lot, I “paid a visit “ to Sunday School again and found myself happily stuck there! But now I found myself slipping into the old pattern again. I prayed about it, examined my attitudes regarding the issue- Was I basing my worth on the kids’ performance? Do I have a surrendered will? Am I trying to be a control- freak? Can I really admit that I am worrying?... I messaged my co-teachers and they were so kind as to reassure me that everything will be okay. I felt better, lighter and decided that we’ll face the situation right on without fear.
Talking of fear, my strategy to dispel it is to confess the scripture portion which says that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. On the appointed Sunday during the praise and worship, I was still a wee bit anxious and I was reminded of this verse.
“Yes, Lord! I do believe so”, I whispered “…these words of yours have been true for me each time I confessed them. I know that I do not have a spirit of fear and I reject in Jesus name any such spirit…I know that I have power, love and a sound mind…but you see Lord, it’s not about me this time ,it’s about the kids…do they know these like I do? Perhaps not…”
“Yes, Lord! I do believe so”, I whispered “…these words of yours have been true for me each time I confessed them. I know that I do not have a spirit of fear and I reject in Jesus name any such spirit…I know that I have power, love and a sound mind…but you see Lord, it’s not about me this time ,it’s about the kids…do they know these like I do? Perhaps not…”
Then as in a flash, I heard God say to my heart, “ That’s why I need you to teach them !”
When I heard this, I felt as if a light shone through, I could strongly feel God’s presence again and I could hear my heart humming a tune again after days of alloyed peace.
So I prayed again, “ Thank You Lord! I know You were working all along… I release my faith over the children- You have not given them a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind…they will do really well today to the glory of Your name….I surrender them to You. In Jesus’ name, amen!”
When I heard this, I felt as if a light shone through, I could strongly feel God’s presence again and I could hear my heart humming a tune again after days of alloyed peace.
So I prayed again, “ Thank You Lord! I know You were working all along… I release my faith over the children- You have not given them a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind…they will do really well today to the glory of Your name….I surrender them to You. In Jesus’ name, amen!”
What a peace and joy I felt after this! When I went to meet with the kids again for practice there was no longer any negativity or fear. We prayed, sang, laughed and danced in unbounded joy! I am sure they performed to God’s delight that Sunday….He affirmed it through the many positive feed backs I received from the church members. Glory to Him!!
There were a lot of lessons and blessings I took home that Sunday; it would call for another article if I were to articulate them! As for now, I want to confess that God is faithful to His word-it is indeed living and powerful. I would also like to encourage the parents to confess the Word of God over their children’s lives- taste and see that the Lord is good, His Word which shall never pass away will preserve, protect, mold and bless your children. Glory to Him!
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