Poppets

April Showers

Bible Study 

Philippians 4:4 ESV

Years ago I had the opportunity to go on a Mission Trip to England.

For most of my adult life I was involved in children’s ministry and I regularly did a Children’s Sermon in church. It was great fun!

I planned each sermon to match the subject or scripture of the adult sermon.

The children would come to the front and we would sit on the stage. I sometimes did an object lesson or had a picture for the children to see. I had many adults tell me they loved the honesty and simplicity of the short sermon.

When we had the opportunity to go to England I decided to take puppets. But the puppets we sometimes used were too bulky to take on the plane from the United States to England so I made sock puppets. I’ve been a seamstress, a crocheter and a crafter all my adult life so I set out to make sock puppets with a soul.

I wasn’t sure if British children would be as interested as the kids back home but I have to tell you…they were gaga over the ‘poppets’. The minute they saw me anywhere they would ask me where the ‘poppets’ were and what were they doing. They talked constantly about the ‘poppets’. They loved those sock ‘poppets’ so much that I found someone who would use the ‘poppets’ and I left them in England.

In addition to doing regular Children’s Sermons I was usually in charge of Vacation Bible School. I can honestly tell you that children are absolutely the best parishioners in every church. They responded, loved, and helped, AND oh my how they loved Jesus!

Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord Always!”  Is a verse children really relate to! I tell children to be joyful…be enthusiastic…be LOUD…dance and sing!

I promise you, adults do not hold a candle to children when it comes to expressing joy!

When I turned 50 and my life took a turn I stopped doing children’s sermons. The truth is I stopped because I felt broken. My focus in church became healing and I became director of a healing prayer service. I had good health insurance from my job and I was able to meet with a counselor. Then someone told me about a Spiritual Director nearby. I met with him for a good long while.

Now I’m starting to pray about purchasing some big ole ugly tube socks and making a family of sock puppets.

I’m not sure what God will do with that but God is ever so creative and I think there might be a plan emerging.

After all…God created and is still creating every minute of every day.

In God/Jesus, Deborah

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