As I walked up to the counter, both arms full of beads and trinkets of every color and size, the saleswoman couldn’t help but giggle.
“Are you having a big party?” she asked.
Without thinking, I responded, “Actually it’s for VBS.” I could see right away that she had no clue what I was talking about.
“Um, what’s VBS?”
Again without hesitation I happily explained, “It’s Vacation Bible School.”
The look of horror that crossed her face was almost immediate. I did my best to explain. “It’s not what it sounds like, it’s really fun, there’s games and stories…” I could see she wasn’t convinced, and it was clear that to her, making kids go to school during the summer was bad enough let alone Bible school!
I have thought so much about that interaction and how I wish I had painted a much better picture of VBS for her.
I wish I had told her about how your heart soars when you get a room full of 1st–4th or 5th and 6th graders all joined together in song, singing at the top of their lungs, no matter if they are on key or way off.
I wish I had told her what it is like to watch kids from all walks of life come together to laugh, play and learn that God is not only a God of love, He is a God who loves fun!
I wish I had been able to capture for her how powerful it is that people give up an entire week of their summer just so they can come love and pour onto these kids the love that Christ has so lavishly poured upon them.
I wish there were words beautiful enough to paint what a masterpiece it is when kids stand to invite Jesus to walk with them forever, all while their friends applaud them and welcome them to the family.
There are so many things I wish I had said in that moment, but mostly I wish I had said, “It is a place where all are welcome to laugh, play, sing and learn that God redeems, restores and loves them, no matter what.”
I don’t know if I will run into my sales person friend again this year and have the chance to tell her what I wish I had told her last year, but I can tell you! So please join us for Adventure Week, a.k.a. VBS. Come as a kid or a counselor, invite your neighbors and join our journey through Foreverland. Come and see just how amazing this adventure of VBS can be!
Nikki Bridgeford
KC: Elementary Kids Church Coordinator
