God likes to give us gifts.

Often I blog about how I have a major goal to let the kids in the neighborhood, just be kids. Yesterday I was given that opportunity and it was a day to remember. In light of the recent scorching weather, we decided to incorporate the most sophisticated and brilliant childhood water toy ever invented into our elementary ministry time.... SLIP'N'SLIDE!!! I probably haven't had the chance to partake in the fun of this great invention in the past 15 years. In those years the slip'n'slide has evolved from a long peace of plastic to a construction project complete with a fountain, built in sprinkler and water pit at the end. I was impressed!

After we set up two huge slip'n'slides in the front yard of Rock Island, the children began to flock. In a matter of minutes there were around 20-30 pushing and shoving in line for a chance to race down the slide. Most kids just wore their play clothes from the day, but there were a select few who wore something different. I got sidetracked for a while trying to set up a water toy and after my project I glanced up to see a group of 4 and 5 year olds who had decided that panties and undies were the best water apparel. It was funny to see cars drive by, it was obvious they were puzzled why a bunch of little brown children were slip'n'sliding in their undies in front of a church.

My favorite moment came at the end of the day. A little 4 year old, "Emma", decided she was cold and so we walked to the back yard to lay out on the dry concrete in the sun. After a few minutes she began to see shapes in the clouds and started pointing them out and naming them (in spanish, of course). There was "gato" (cat), "serpiente" (snake) and my personal favorite, "angel". She then asked me why the clouds made shapes. I paused wondering what my answer could be (I get these kinds of trivial questions often) and said "God does it". She then said the sweetest thing I've heard, in her broken four year-old Spanish she said "They are gifts, God likes to give us gifts"....... WOW! SHE GETS IT! What a perfect ending to a perfect day, in the midst of mud, water and sprinklers, a child points out a most precious message. God likes to give us gifts. Amen.