Achingly Familiar

I was chit-chatting with my friends after service on Sunday and out of the corner of my eye I caught an achingly familiar face that was also nearly unrecognizable to this Sunday school teacher’s sensibilities. 

It was Joshua.  He moved to Arizona for college but was back for a visit.  How honored I was that he would take the time to greet me.  Admittedly, I was startled by this man standing in front of me when the picture in my heart will always be the skinny little, too-cool-for-school 4th grader.  In my mind, that was just yesterday.  

Wasn’t it?

Of course, Jacob immediately came into my field of vision, because, well…there was a time when they were connected at the hip.  To look for one would be to see the other.  But there was nothing there to resemble that goofy 10-year-old (oh, yes, I have pictures).  Only a rugged-looking young man who also is about to move to another state for the next chapter of his life.  

I love them both.  Shhh…don’t tell them.

Crazy but Wonderful

As a matter of fact, there is a throng of loved ones who have passed thru my Sunday school classes, children’s churches, Vacation Bible Schools, and church camps.  Some, thankfully, like Autumn, are still in the children’s department.  But others have flown like the squeaky voiced second grader who now expertly plays keyboard as part of the worship team.  I remember the starry-eyed girls like Kahealani, at church camp who are now moms themselves…good ones. 

I’ve been doing this for so long.   I’m even friends with Emily on Facebook; a Godly woman who has three kids of her own now, one of whom just graduated high school.  But when we met, she and her blond curls were in the second grade at Christian Life Center children’s church.  Crazy. 

But wonderful.

By His goodness, I pray that He has used me in some small way for His Glory in these kids’ lives.  I know for a fact that He has used each one of them to grow me.

Are you a Sunday school teacher? Are there pictures that stand out in your mind? I would love it if you’d share some in the comments below.