Making the Moments Matter

Ever have one of those days when you seem to get nothing done?  We all have them...you do work on the computer, and then the printer doesn't work.  You finally load the dishwasher, only to discover you're out of dishwashing detergent.  You're helping your child finish his school project, only to find out (at 10pm!) that you forgot to pickup the poster board he needs.  There are days that just don't work out.  
 


So...even on those days, how do we make moments matter...how do we make them count?  We make ourselves available, that's it.  As I told our volunteers at training, kids don't really care that much about our abilities, they care about our availability.  I think the same is true for our own children.  My son says I'm the best mom in the world.  This is true only in his world which is the world that matters.  My abilities are not great...I'm an average cook, I'm an okay housekeeper, I don't have the June Cleaver gene.   None of that makes one ounce of difference to my kids.  They know I'm available to them; I listen, I talk, I pray, I love.  
 


This year's theme in PathFinders - "Make Every Moment Count" - is meant to remind us all...parents and children's ministry leaders- that we have a very finite amount of time to influence our kids.  For a child born this month, there are only 920 weeks until they turn 18, for a 5 year old- 659 weeks, for a 10 year old- 398 weeks, and for a sixteen year old (like the one living with me)- 89 weeks.  
Need a visual to make it real?  Every marble represents a week in the life of a child at each of the ages I mentioned. 

That last jar is empty, and the question is this...did we make the moments count?  We're committed to making every moment count for your kids...for our kids. We believe that all the moments we make count will lead kids to the game changing moment we all pray for... when they accept Jesus as Lord. 

This Week's Announcements:
- PathFinders (all ages) has officially been moved up to our new space!  Please check in all ages in 164. 
- Open House for new space: We will have an open house/orientation to the new space for parents this Sunday at 1:30pm.  We will start in the 164 space.  Please plan to attend so that you and your children are informed and feel comfortable about our new surroundings. 

What God is Teaching Us:
It's all about getting to know each other this week!  With all the new space and new leaders starting, we will be doing lots of activities to get familiar with our new surroundings and each other. 

What Kids are Saying: "Momma, are there lions in heaven?"  (Mom)- "Yes, I think so...and if there are lions in heaven, they will be gentle and sweet."  (After thinking for a minute) "Well, mom...I think you should hold me in heaven...up in your arms...just in case."  (Mom) "Okay, I'll hold on tight...until my arms fall off."  (Child) "Yep, that's a good plan...good deal."
That was just a moment...but it counted.