When there is another generational "shift".....

 This photo is one of my all time favorites.  My mom, my daughter, my granddaughter and me.  I am so thankful that we got that picture when Lia was just a few months old.  So tonight, sitting here at my computer, (thanks to the marvels of modern technology), I experienced another "Generational Shift".  I just watched as Lia was leading worship for a youth praise service at her church.  As I was watching her, I was flashing back to sitting in a pew with my mom, watching Gwen lead worship when she was just a bit older than Lia is now.  And I was remembering my mom watching with tears in her eyes.

I took a couple of screen shots of the video, just to capture this moment.  Besides singing, Lia also played keyboard on a couple of songs. That last picture is Gwen and Lia at the keyboard.  Suddenly, I am the grandma with tears in her eyes.  It is one thing to know that your children and grandchildren love the Lord, it is quite another thing to see them publicly express that love.  I am so grateful that Lia has a place to grow as a worship leader. Right now, she looks like a baby compared to the other youth leading worship.  But in several years, she will be the leader welcoming new youth to the stage.  I love this "mentoring" model that keeps building for the future by bringing the youngest youth into the group.  I can imagine many years watching Lia at the microphone, or the keyboard, or dancing....well you get the idea.  She is a performer for sure. And I love that she is able to grow in her gifting.

On Friday I had the opportunity to watch both Lia and Ellie perform in an musical after a week at "Spotlight" Camp.

Both Lia and Ellie had some speaking parts and both sang at the microphone by themselves.  They sang and danced in many songs.  It was really amazing what they can accomplish in 5 short days with these kids from 6-12 years old.  While Lia looks like she is loving every minute that she is on stage, it was not so much for Ellie.  She has a big smile here, AFTER the performance.  She did so well with all of her songs, dances and speaking part and solos, but she was just not loving it.  Ellie will be a wonderful behind the scenes person.  She will be the one designing the costumes, arranging the hair and makeup, finding just the perfect accessory for the performers to wear.  And mostly, she will be holding a hand of someone dealing with stage fright, she will be hugging someone else who isn't feeling well.  She will be everyone's friend and will make sure that everyone has something to eat and drink.  Because, well, that is just who Ellie is.  Seeing just how different these two girls are, is a great reminder that there is a plan, a purpose and destiny for each of us.  

Just imagine how many more worship leaders, teachers, pastors and evangelists, how many more "good samaritans", helpers, intercessors, greeters, ushers, servers we would have if we started to encourage these obvious gifts of the children around us.   So often adults decide that children need to wait to "grow up" before they can use their gifts.  But I think this is a mistake. Watching Lia on the stage tonight confirmed that for me.  

Yes, it was a night when I felt that shift of the generations.  Looking back, but also looking ahead.  I love that I can get a glimpse of the  amazing working of the Lord as I see the potential in each of my grandchildren.  I challenge you to look around you at the children, youth and young adults you encounter. Look at the adults around you also!   Look beyond their clothes or their hair style, ignore their tattoos or piercings, and see the marvelous gifts and talents that they have.  Encourage them, mentor them.  Give them a place and means to use those talents.  You will be blessing them....but you will be blessed also!

Jesus, thank you for Fellowship of Faith and Boulder Ministry.  Holy Spirit, give us all reminders to look for ways to mentor and  encourage those around us.  Help us to see the unique gifts and talents that you have given to each person.  Keep us from trying to put others into places that just don't fit them.  Jesus, help us all to know that you have a plan, a purpose and a destiny for each of us!  Amen

When you are just a bit out of your "league".........

Yesterday Ken and I went to a birthday party for a one year old!  First Birthdays are so much fun, even though the guest of honor rarely seems to understand what is happening.  The guest of honor was the son of Gwen's best friend since childhood.  It is so special that Anna is so close in age to Dexter.

But the day was less than stellar weather wise....it was in the 40's and windy and cloudy.  Yes, it is one day short of June, but this is Chicago!  At any rate, the kids were outside playing and I was watching this....

Zeke was playing baseball.  He was waiting for anyone to pitch the ball to him.  Yes, I said PITCH the ball to him.  And just a reminder, Zeke just celebrated his 4th birthday!  He is only 4 years old.  I watched him hit ball after ball after ball.  And the sad thing is that when he is finally old enough to play organized sports, he will need to play Tee Ball for several years. Sigh.  He clearly could be playing now, but he will need to wait awhile!  Anything that involves a ball is just fine with Zeke.  I wasn't the only one watching.........

Anna saw every thing Zeke did.  As soon as Zeke had moved on to football, Anna went for the bat. And as you can see, it is as big as her!  She would not stop until someone threw the ball towards the bat and it actually made contact.  She was so pleased with herself!  At just 16 months old she has lots of time to wait till she can actually play ball.  

I was thinking about this picture of Anna.  I know that there have been lots of times that I have picked up on something that was really way too big (or way too heavy, or way too hard, or way more than I can handle).  Sometimes, like Anna, I have been watching someone else using a gift or talent or practicing a skill, and then I decide that maybe I should try that.  Wow, this is usually a big mistake. At least Anna was only holding a plastic bat that didn't weigh very much.   There have been times when I have found myself in a very sticky place when I have ventured into an area that I should never have even thought about walking into.  You know it is a fine line between trying out new things and taking on a task that someone else should do.  Yes, it is good to know your gifts and your talents and also to know your limits.  It is often better to let someone else do the job...or to call on someone else to do the task than to attempt it yourself.  I am sure that there is a deeper message in this tonight...I think I will have to take awhile to let it sink in.  

Tonight I am thankful that Ken knew that he could not replace our hot water heater.  So tomorrow a very good plumber will come and install a new water heater for us. We will not have to go to multiple stores to buy the new water heater.  We will not have to worry about getting a very BIG heater home in our very small cars.  We will not have to make the always multiple trips to the hardware store that ANY plumbing job requires.  We will not have to worry about getting rid of our old heater.  And I am so thankful tonight that tomorrow night at this time, we will once again have hot water! 

Jesus, thank you for birthdays and times together.  Holy Spirit, help us to know our limits and to use our gifts and talents wisely.  Thank you for gently reminding us when we are considering something outside of our gifts and talents.  Continue to give us revelation of all that you are speaking to us through this.  Amen