Twice in the last week I’ve been asked, “What made you decide to go into children’s ministry?”  The follow up question on one occasion was, “What prepared you to do what you do?”  The setting for each of these inquiries was very different.  One happened on a short weekend getaway in a conversation with a stranger, and the other as I was being interviewed for a college student’s project.  Different settings…same question…same answer. 

These conversations were about my job…my vocation.  Today, remembering those two conversations, another thought crossed my mind.  I don’t think anyone has ever asked me about my most important job…not a career, but a job…motherhood.  No one has ever asked, “What make you decide to go into motherhood?”  Nor has anyone ever asked, “What prepared you to do what you do?” as it relates to being a parent.

Maybe the question is not asked because it seems to be a silly one.  Maybe no one asks because they figure the answer is too personal.  Maybe no one asks because they too are a parent and couldn’t answer the question for themselves. 

So for sake of an argument I’m having with myself right now, I’ll ask and answer.  What made me decide to become a mom? That one is simple- I don’t think I ever decided NOT to become a mom.  I think the first time I held a baby doll I was hooked.  The bigger question - what prepared me for it?  Nothing, nothing, and more of nothing.

The word ‘nothing’ doesn’t even capture how much nothingness there was in preparing me for motherhood.  I had GREAT examples in parenting as my mom, dad, and grandparents were all phenomenal at their jobs.  But watching someone else do it isn’t enough.  There is no prep for the highs and lows of parenting.  There is no study guide for the overwhelming joy that can be followed by deep heartache and/or worry.  There is no cheat sheet, word bank, or Cliff notes for the lessons we’ll teach or the lessons we’ll learn as we parent. 

It’s a job with a clear beginning, but no real end.  It’s a job we take on every day, all day long, and yet we’re never experts.  It’s a job we do when we feel like it and when we don’t.  It’s a circus kind of job where balancing, juggling, walking a tight rope, taming lions, and being the ring leader all at the same time is not only necessary, it’s crucial. 

My answer about my career choice was short – God called me to it.  How I prepared was described at length, but two things were at the center- lots of practice and God’s provision.  Now that I rethink things…it’s funny how the answer turns out to be the same for parenting.  God called me to it, and even though I’m never fully prepared (aren’t we surprised every day?)-  I practice a lot and God keeps on providing. 

This Week’s Announcements:
If you have a child 3mos.-2years old that you wish to publically dedicate to the Lord here at StoneBridge, then you will need to attend one of our Baby Dedication Orientation classes.  On November 10th at 6:30pm we will hold the orientation meant for anyone wishing to dedicate a child before our next class in May.  To sign up, go to www.signupgenius.com and search under my email penny@stonebridgemarietta.org  Don’t forget to list children’s names and ages in the comment section if you need childcare during the orientation. 

What God is Teaching Us:
Follow the link below to see this past Sunday’s curriculum: 
This link is no longer available

Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
A little guy came into my office and asked me for a piece of bubble gum.  When I gave it to him, he promptly put it in his mouth.  After starting on his gum, he asked if he could also have one for his mommy, daddy, brother, and sister.  I obliged (how could I not?).   When I told him he should put the gum for his family in his pocket for later, he put three of the four in his pocket, but then started to unwrap one. I reminded him that he already had one in his mouth, and that the rest were for his family.  He said, “Oh, it’s okay…this one is my brother’s.  He can’t have gum so I’ll just chew it for him.”