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New Year’s Reflections

Whether you celebrate New Year’s with a toast and a kiss or snugly tucked into bed with a good book, there is no denying that something changes after December 31. Like God’s mercies that are new every morning, January 1 marks the threshold of a new year—the chance for new beginnings!

When you’re faith-walking with kids you’re bound to encounter joys of the journey and bumps along the road. Give yourself a moment to sit back, sip a cup of Joe, and reflect.

Joys of the Journey
Recall the beaming faces, the happy hugs, and the “aha!” moments of the last year. Offer a prayer of gratitude for the children God has placed in your life. Savor the memories of stories shared, songs sung, and the Spirit’s work in your midst!

Bumps on the Road
Ask the Lord for wisdom in areas of struggle. Perhaps it’s a family crisis in the life of a child, or scheduling overload in your own family. Cast your cares on Jesus, and bring before him the names of children who require extra care or patience. Take comfort in the words of Christ, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

Visions of the Future
Wonder about the kids in your group. What plans might God have for them? What talents and gifts of the Spirit do you see in them? What experiences are shaping them on their faith journey? Pray that God’s perfect plan will unfold in their lives, and trust that “he is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory!” (Eph. 3:20-21).

For you, New Year’s brings a sigh of relief… ahhhh, you’re halfway there! You’ve survived the fall recruiting crunch, the kick-off chaos, and the Christmas celebration. Like a Sabbath on the first day of the week, you have a little time to catch your breath and regroup. Here are some helpful things to think about and do before diving into 2008 programming.

Purge the Piles
You’ve stacked and stashed for several months—now you can take time to sift and sort.

• Replenish the supply closet with new glue sticks, crayons, scissors, and tape. Dump things that are broken or used up.
• Reorganize shelves or drawers to provide easy access to the most important items.
• If teachers have returned extra take-home papers to you, label them in bundles and store them in a safe location for future use.
• Make room on walls and bulletin boards for a new year of student art.

Listen to Leaders
Catch the ear of your teachers by phone, by email, or in person. Are they riding the wave of Christmas excitement, or looking for shelter from the storm?

• As you talk with teachers, listen for signs of burnout and boredom—it’s not too late to recruit extra helpers or rearrange teaching schedules if necessary.
• Compile a list of classroom troubles and triumphs to bring before the Lord and to serve as fuel for 2008 planning and training.
• Look for ways to encourage leaders through the winter blues with affirming words, notes, and tokens of appreciation.

Dream Big Dreams
Walk through the hallways of your church and prayerfully consider your children’s ministry.

• Praise God for kids and leaders growing in Christ in 2007!
• Imagine all that could happen in the coming year—what might be in store for 2008? What goals will you strive toward? What changes do you hope to see?
• Bend a knee to the Lord and begin this ministry year with a familiar prayer: “Thy will be done, thy kingdom come.”

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