Blog 1

I never intended to be drawn to kids so much. Especially because they ask hard questions, need guidance, require patience, lots of energy, and let’s face it, they can be high maintenance. However, from the time I decided to follow Jesus, I knew God called me to be with children. You can ask my husband. Wherever we go, whether a new country, on a mission trip, or the local grocery store, I am sucked in like a magnet to children. I can’t tell you why these high maintenance creatures draw me in so much, except to say that in their pure childlikeness I see the breath of Jesus daily. They teach me more about God daily. As a professional teacher for 26 years, school principal and best of all, mom, I’ve realized that children do not need so much a remarkable parent or teacher, more so they need a parent or teacher with a remarkable God. My heart is compelled with a deep desire to involve and partner with children to catapult them into a realm of total dependence and trust into what the awesome, living God can do when we say, “Yes” to a relationship with Him. (Galatians 2:20)

Jeremiah knew this as a young boy. In Jeremiah chapter 1, God came to Jeremiah and told him that He knew him before he was born and had a plan for him to accomplish. I love Jeremiah’s response. He basically said, “I’m only a kid and I don’t even know how to speak correctly yet!” This is a normal response that I have seen many children take. Yet God told Jeremiah, “Do not say, I am too young. You must go to everyone I send you and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord.” Jeremiah then got that “aha” moment. God reached out His hand and touched him. From then on, Jeremiah saw a personal God, through his unconditional love, live daily in Jeremiah’s life: God’s perfect

plan. It was never easy, but God walked with him every step of the way.

Jeremiah as a child was honest with God. His question was from the heart. I love that kids are real. I see this often in children because they are untainted by preconceived thoughts. They can be totally honest without guile to God. They ask questions that many adults would not dare to ask. Kids seek real answers from God and are filled with wonder when God speaks. Because of this in Jeremiah’s life, God pulled him, a child, out of a comfortable mindset into one where only Jeremiah could go forward because of the mighty hand of God. I pray for these moments each day: to listen and follow God just as the child Jeremiah did and expressed. When I see these moments in the children I encounter, it not only draws me closer to God, but draws me to want to share these moments with others.

As an educator I see current trends.  Children these days have struggles that go deep in our society. I see this no matter where I go – whether it is Africa, Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, or Colorado Springs. Children are dealing with broken homes, anxiety, fear, loneliness, navigating friendships, peer pressure and so much more.

I’ve seen that some children feel that God’s Word does not apply to them, or they are not sure where truth comes from in light of varied worldviews.

 How do I deal with these trends? God daily prompts me to delve into these current issues through God’s Word, which changes children for the long haul – eternity! Just as God called Jeremiah to a deeper relationship of involvement and trust as a child, so I long to help kids see God calling them from being just a kid with everyday issues and struggles to someone who sees God working in their life to make a difference for eternity. Jesus called many children in the Bible to do a lot of things. He involved them in what was happening in the world around them for a life change. I want you to see that our extraordinary God still does this today.

Hi God It's Me Again is about God using children to connect with other children. My desire is to help kids see firsthand God’s great love for them through His Son, Jesus Christ. Once they understand this, God can work in their lives in a myriad of ways to learn new concepts, minister, love, teach, and help those around them whether at school, with their family, in the community, or throughout the world.