October 30, 2019

Yesterday, I had a finance meeting, staff meeting, and worship meeting. And while I can’t find it in the Bible, I am certain that hell is a church meeting that never ends.

As thirteen of our church staff members sat around the large conference table discussing tonight’s Fall Festival, church finances, future ministries, evaluating what worked and what didn’t, and a host of other topics, Melissa said, “Azrielle is here.” At that moment, the meeting came to an abrupt halt. That’s because what mattered most had walked into the building.

Azrielle is three years old. She, and the four year old Tornado Twins, Wyatt and Owen, come to see me every Tuesday and Thursday after they get out of our Mother’s Day Out program.

We sit down in the break room, eat candy or popsicles, and talk about the day. And since all three of these children are my intellectual superior, we have very productive discussions. For me it is a sacred time that puts everything in the right perspective. And that’s how it’s supposed to be in the church.

A church is a business unlike any other. While most businesses would never come to a grinding halt the moment a little one walks through the doors, we are not most businesses. We are about love and making sure that everyone knows they are of value in God’s eyes. And if they matter to God, then the matter to us.

Life is not primarily about important meetings and all of that. Life is about relationships. And have you ever noticed that for Jesus, the world came to a stop whenever a child entered the picture? What the world said was an insignificant person of no consequence was a priority for Jesus. The same must be true for us.

When the disciples were distressed because Jesus was wasting too much time with children, when they believed he had more important things to do, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) This tells us something about how God sees the world.

In God’s economy, everyone matters, from the President of the United States, to the drug addict on the street corner, and everyone in-between. It’s up to us to make sure they get the message.

Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me conduct myself today in such a way, that everyone I meet knows you love and cherish them. Help me to be a conduit for your love, mercy, and grace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

What made my reprieve from yesterday’s endless cycle of meetings even better was Ellen bringing the newest member of our church family for everyone to see. Two week old Birdie made her first visit. She already has my heart. And what’s really great is that as time goes on, she will love me more than her parents because we will eat candy and popsicles like I do her two older brothers. I still find it hard to believe I get paid to do the job I love.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins