i'm going to miss "the kiddos"

I love this kid. Sigh.

That’s my little Missionette Sierra, one of a family of 4 kids that has stolen my heart in my time at Forest Avenue church. To be fair, there are a LOT of children that I’ve had the privilege of teaching about the Lord and spending time with in the past 6 years at Forest Avenue; but these kids have a special place in my heart reserved just for them. Now a Sunday or Wednesday doesn’t go by where I don’t hear, “Miss Heather, you can’t leave!” come from at least one of them. And any time I’m gone for a week or more, I am welcomed back by enthusiastic little ones running up to me for a hug, stealing another piece of my heart as the embrace ends.

Sigh, again.

When I first started attending Forest Avenue, I didn’t have a clue about children’s ministry. But over time I’ve learned that whether you’re teaching them a Bible story, helping them memorize an important scripture verse that will stick with them, or just turning cartwheels in the fellowship hall while Pastor Jim isn’t looking (haha), being influential in a child’s life is one of the most beneficial things you can do with your life. And even though your heart will feel like it’s ripping out of your chest when it’s time to say goodbye, if you get the privilege of leading a little one to the Lord, you know that you will get to see them again. And there is no way to measure what a difference faith will make in a child’s life as they grow up. I know it made a difference in my life, even though I didn’t turn back to the Lord until I was 16. But the Bible stories stayed in my heart, and the knowledge of a loving God was with me all along. I pray these same promises and this steady faith remains with my “kiddos” from Forest Avenue for the rest of their lives.

And, I pray the memory of their “Miss Heather” sticks with them, too. Because I know for sure that they will stay with me.