VBS in Hindsight

Last week was one I wouldn't want to repeat for a long time. I really didn't get anything done besides minimal housework (at a time when we're generating extra laundry), canning and VBS. Anything that could possibly need harvesting in my garden in July needed it last week, naturally. A dentist appointment for A & JS scheduled 6 months ago -before VBS dates were set- naturally fell on VBS week. And as posted earlier, my class not only required study time; it also required high-energy while in session. Huff-puff.

I came to 2 conclusions: Someone should invent a hold button for gardens... and all moms should teach VBS at least once every 5 years so they appreciate their off years.

As the week progressed I was able to assess what was going on with my class and roll with it. It was so not 'me'. God's grace at work, wrapped in a confirming moment on the very last night. It was not premeditated, but while discussing John 3:16 I asked the girls if they know that rejecting God's great gift of salvation is like slapping God in the face. One of my students protested that thought. Yes, it is harsh, but it is a very serious thing to reject God. For once, I had everyone's attention- no one was whispering, and the one who usually had a snappy comeback for everything had nothing to say. If nothing else was heard all week, that one seed was planted.
I learned that silence may have been my most powerful tool though. I don't speak to a class that isn't listening; when too many girls were whispering I simply stopped mid-sentence and waited to regain their attention. I didn't give this method a second thought, but now I'm told the girls commented on this. This leads me to believe these girls are used to being yelled at, not treated with respect.

One evening I took iced coffee for them. They were impressed. I got the impression they are not used to be treated as adults. Made it worth the effort.
Another glimpse into their lives came when one asked on the last night if I was glad to see her & her friend -they had skipped the previous night. I told her I was. Her response makes me think they normally don't get a positive answer to a question like that. My heart feels heavy for these girls -at such a pivotal age and so little going for them.

I have a picture of my class but didn't get their permission to post it. But here's to the jizzy-est class of girls!
P.S. Jizzy-est is a made-up slang word they used excessively.