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“Higher Mommy,” begged my four-year-old daughter as I gave the swing one last shove. I cherish playing with my daughter Lord, but
Sarah needs a best friend, one whose family shares our family’s Christian values, I silently prayed as several rambunctious boys
brandishing plastic swords proclaiming “I’m He-man, Master of the Universe; I have all power,” nearly ran over us. No little girls
in sight, I sighed. I wondered if God could answer my prayer.
The following day I stuffed my pockets with children’s Bible tracts before heading for the apartment playground. The free handouts drew
the children to me. “Jesus is the master and creator of the universe,” I shared with every eye on me. "He made you, too, and He loves
you,” I proclaimed.
Sadly, I learned many of the children had never been to Sunday school. Jesus was merely a ceramic figure in a manger at Christmas or an
expletive they’d learned from movies. Lord, this is America. Why don’t these children know who you are? I cried out. Please
send someone to reach these precious children for your Kingdom.
“Invite the children to your home for a bible study,” interrupted the undeniable still, small voice of the Lord right in the middle of
my house cleaning. But Lord, I’m a new Christian. I’ve never even taught Sunday school. Again, “You teach them who I Am.”
Little did I know that the Lord calls the one with the burden to get the job done—qualified or not. Availability is all he requires.
With my husband’s support and my daughter’s enthusiasm, I knew I had to give it a try. Besides, I thought, if Sarah’s ever
going to have playmates who share our values, I guess I’ll just have to see to it that the neighborhood has some.
I typed the advertisements and Sarah decorated them with colorful heart balloons and bible stickers. After posting them in the apartment
laundry rooms and the local grocery store, we went home and waited for the calls—certain there would be a few moms who would relish a
two-hour break from the children. But nobody called.
Not to be defeated, I put feet to my faith and invited the first child I saw in the playground. “Would you like to come to our house on
Friday for a bible study? We’ll learn about Jesus, play games, make crafts, sing and there’ll be snacks, too.” The little boy’s face
lit up and scurried home to ask his mom. She loved the idea and brought her son, Aaron, promptly at 10:00 a.m. Friday.
Aaron and Sarah snuggled beside me on the sofa listening intently as I read from Sarah’s Noah’s Ark book. After coloring their version
of Noah’s Ark, complete with animal stickers, cotton-ball storm clouds and brilliant rainbows, Aaron couldn't wait to take his home to
tape on the refrigerator like Sarah had done with hers. “This was fun,” he beamed. “Can I come back?” “Sure. And bring a friend,” I
encouraged.
News of the Bible study spread like gossip throughout the apartment complex and surrounding neighborhoods. Soon our compact living room
overflowed with pre-school age children, straining to see the pictures in Sarah’s bible storybooks. My ever-supportive husband, Ron,
suggested I use an old-fashion flannel board then proceeded to make two, one in black felt for night and one in white felt for
day—perfect for the creation story.
Later, at the Christian bookstore, God bestowed a blessing on me…
“What are you going to do with all these flannel stories?” asked the Bible Bookstore owner when I didn’t request a church discount.
“Every Friday I have a bible study for children in my home.”
His face lit up. “Can you wait a minute?” he asked. “I usually send these to overseas missionaries, but I want you to have them,” he
said, handing me a box overflowing with outdated Sunday school material.
“Thank you Jesus! Oh, and thank you, too,” I added.
When several of the moms took turns bringing snacks and offerings to help with supplies, I recognized the Lord’s subtle way of
encouraging me. “Weary not in well doing,” He seemed to say, just as I was about to give up.
Then came the testimonies: “The children play together better than they used to,” and “I heard the children forgive each other the other
day, and they’ve never done that before.” In the summer the apartment manager agreed to let me use the clubroom, free of charge, so I
would have room enough for the school age children to come.
When one of the moms took a part-time job, she asked if I would baby-sit her girls. This is just too perfect Lord. How like you! I
thought. They soon became the first best friends Sarah ever had. And what fun they had! Baking cookies, playing dolls, having tea
parties, roller-skating, and even singing “I love you Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you,” up and down the grocery store aisles.
And the best part was having five days a week to teach my neighbor’s girls about Jesus and others as the Lord continued to grow my home
daycare. Truly, “…unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh
in us.” Ephesians 4:20
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About The Author:
Susan Jeanette Decuir is a freelance writer from Dallas, Texas where she resides with her husband, Ron. She's been published in
Homeschooling Today ,
Welcome Home,
The Senior Voice, and
Mature Living.
Visit her at Good Nuz
*This article is NOT available for your publication.
For reprint rights or comments/questions about this article, please contact the author.
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