The value of Sunday School teachers.

Investing money into a stock portfolio or in your local bank is never a bad thing. Somewhere down the road a dividend will be realized. Investing into a young life whether in a public school or the local church school is never wasted either.

I was reintroduced to a large business envelope that contained a plethora of keepsakes. You know, those things that children color and paste, then give to mommies and daddies. There were a number of homemade cards and drawings from Kayt, Eric, and Kenny. In some cases, I needed to look at, study, rotate in my hands, and finally come to some conclusion about what the drawing was. It meant the world to me the day our children made and offered them to me. I stored them away for perpetuity. Well, last night was a walk down memory lane and it was sweet.

Sunday school teachers in our home church, Centre United Methodist, always loved kids and made learning fun. Here they let the kids loose on glue and enough glitter to sink a ship! These particular pieces of artwork are nearly 20 years old and as bright and cheery as the day they were made.

"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:5-7, NIV)

The investment of time teachers offered to our children cannot be quantified. The benefits will continue to be seen with each passing day. Are our kids perfect? Um, no; not even close. They have been positively affected for the rest of their lives because someone cared enough to get out of bed each Sunday prepared to teach and love our kids. Tracie and I are grateful for each one of those adults who love Jesus and value relationships. Passing on our faith is so vital to strengthen children and grandchildren. They are empty canvasses searching for meaning and the image of God within them.

How about you, are you a lover of Jesus and kids? Are you actively involved in shaping the next generation of lovers of Jesus? If not, why not? Don't step back but walk forward with faith and purpose. Build relationships with young people and let them know that you are in their corner no matter what they have to face. They one day might give 'you' a card covered with three tons of glitter and glue.