God is with us

[title is also the tag line this kids learned in the Vacation Bible School program at our church this year... this was written for the newsletter]

A certain local 6-year-old of my intimate acquaintance started her first swimming lessons of the summer last week.  She loved them last year but has been rather hesitant this time around.  I was informed that she doesn’t like water going down her throat and that the pool is too cold, but what this all boiled down to in the end, after a long discussion, was that it is “hard” (translate: scary).  We discussed simply trying our best.  We covered successful bubble-blowing techniques.  Finally, however, I experienced a moment of inspiration:

“Okay, bunny, we prayed about it, and after all, what happens when we’re afraid?”

“GOD IS WITH US!”

[Giggles.]

Rest assured, Teacher Jackie—they were paying attention in VBS.

We hear a lot about the importance of giving thanks, and well we should.  We are cautioned against ignoring God in the good times only to present our laundry lists of concerns when times get tough.  This is good advice; when we cultivate a spirit of thankfulness we gain a new and brighter outlook on life and a deeper appreciation of all God has done for us.  We are better able to share God’s gifts with others and to be the face of God in the world.

However…

One of the things VBS emphasized this year, and something I suspect we all need to hear, is that the God we should thank and praise is also the God who is with us and will help us when we need it—and it’s okay to need it.

Sometimes we struggle.

We have money woes or health concerns. We face grief or loss or loneliness.  Our problems may be big or they may be small, but we crave the reassurance that God is with us even when we’re concerned about doing our head-bobs or shivering in our little swimsuit on the edge of the pool.

Sometimes we need to present that laundry list and know that God will hear us.  The lesson of the book of Daniel is that God will answer our prayers of need, sometimes in creative and surprising ways.  We may not always get what we want, but we will be heard and we will experience God’s grace.

The great thing about kids is their innate understanding of both need and love.  The same small person who found her strength in that VBS call-and-response line last night is sitting behind me with an old copy of the Lutheran Book of Worship, singing hymns to her own tunes.

So, keep those laundry lists updated and those songs of thanksgiving flowing.  God is with small people in swimming pools—and with big people swimming through the sometimes-fraught currents of life.