Wednesday, February 3, 2010

My Rice and Vegetable Oil

Today on iPray is a Prayer for 2010. Please continue to join in prayers at ZOE this February.

September 2009, I started one of my greatest heart's desires - to be a teacher in the children's church. I was assigned to the class of 3 year olds. God is amazing. These children are so smart. I remember once there was a bee in the class. I told the children to sit still so that the bee does not "bite" them. One girl in the class corrected me saying, "bees don't bite. They sting." From these children, I have learnt that gifts and talents are in us right from childhood. I wanted to keep the class quiet so I gave them some colouring assignments (believe me, this works for 3 year olds). But there was one girl who kept on coming back to ask for more because she quickly and neatly finished what I asked her to colour. I wondered, how could a 3 year old know how to colour so neatly without having the colours scattered all over the place?

In January, after the reshuffling, I was assigned the class of 8-9 year olds. This class is a higher level oh. When I was teaching creation - plants, trees, herbs, one of them said "vegetation to summarize". By the time we delved into amphibians, eclipse, and all those big big grammar, I knew I had to read more than my Bible before coming to teach them. But I love them so much.

Anyway, in January all Children Church Teachers received a bag of rice and a bottle of vegetable oil. The thought that came to my mind was "do I deserve the same gift as those who had been teaching all through the year?" I think between September and December, I must have taught only 3 times, yet I was getting the full benefits as those who had been consistent, been there from the beginning, and obviously put in more effort.

And then I remembered the parable of the labourers in the vineyard [Matthew 20:1-16]. The truth is that the Lord of the vineyard agreed to pay per day (not per hour) and no matter how long each labourer spent, he was going to pay the day's wage.

The grace, mercy and love of God is not by your works but by God's grace. God gives mercy to all for the sake of His Only-begotten Son. It does not matter whether you accepted Jesus twenty years ago or just yesterday. The full, complete benefits of salvation are yours.

Accept and receive them today for Jesus Christ has paid the price for you.

I have already launched my vegetable oil. It came at the right time...:-)

21 comments:

Apinke said...

first!
teaching kids?! thats great, i dont have such patience so i just marvel at how u guys do it.

Harry said...

Nice post here...

I alos think it is important that Christians always pray for grace... it is too essential

Dee! said...

From the mouths of babes! They are so innocent and pure in heart. I just love to be in their midst!

Yes! It does not matter when one accepts Jesus, the bottom line is to accept Him and live by His commands.

Enjoy your rice and vegetable oil!

Stay blessed.

Blogoratti said...

Interesting post...thanks for sharing that.
All the best.

Veg Plants said...

Hi Rita
Great u are. teaching to the children is a marvelous job in this world. i hope that you will continue it in future.my father is also a teacher so i can understand your duty very well.

NaijaScorpio said...

I like ur summary at the end. Perfect. Good job with the kids.

jhazmyn said...

lol at launching ur veg oil...we sure learn tons from kids, its amazing how they can give us a different perspective in life

Kafo said...

i just read the prayer on Zoe blog
thanks and amen and amen

Jennifer A. said...

Aww, I loved how you remembered the parable of the Labourers.

Myne said...

This touched me. I have taught children too and it is amazing. Jesus was so right about the little ones.

Anonymous said...

This was cool. You have such a heart of gold. Nicely spoken, Rita. We are all teh same in Jesus' book. He has no favorites. All He asks is that we love Him with all that is within us! Praise His name! May He find us worthy

Patrina <")>><

ps on my sidebar where I have your blog listed. It reads "Aplogies" something about your e-mail - I couldn't find it on the link. It wouldn't let me open. The enemy attacked my blog the day before iPray began. I was just wondering if he visited yours too. I am praying for protection. The enemy would like nothing more than to silence our prayers.

Pressing through!

Blessing said...

Awwww...teaching in the Children's Church? That's nice...I did it during the summer once and those kids wore me out!!! But I miss them and it's amazing how they still remember me to this day!!!

And I love how u tied the whole experience together at the end with the parable!!!

Joy Akut said...

through helping raise my nieces i know teaching kids is one of the most challenging things ever...God bless their souls, and their intelligence is just so amazing. well done and all the best.

enjoy ur vegetable oil:)

lesson learnt...GOd loves us all equally. lets enjoy his blessings without questions.

Sugarking said...

Loving this post die!!! very reflective. Love the Bible reference particularly!

Admin said...

yeah this is inspiring ,keep it up

Enkay said...

I have often wondered about that too.

God blesses everyone regardless of how long you've been on this journey.

His Grace is awesome even when we don't deserve it.

~Sirius~ said...

Awww..how cute,

LOL @ a bee stings.....children of now-a-days.

God sure has His own way of rewarding, and We can't but just accept it as it is.

Anya Posh said...

LOL @ rice and vegetable oil! hahahah...this is mad hilarious! why oh why are children so smart these days? I am always impressed, they're really a blessing.

NoLimit said...

Thought provoking...children are such great teachers! You always learn something from them...
And nice to remember that the gift is not about works...but by grace!!!:-)

Unknown said...

May God continue to guide you as he uses you to bless others. And may He bless you abundantly, always. (Amen).

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