I spent hours trying to find a traditional VBS 1) that wouldn't conflict with family vacation, 2) to which I could drive within thirty minutes, and 3) that would accept three-year-olds. I found exactly two churches that met the criteria and e-mailed, asking each to slip Charleigh (who won't turn three until the end of summer) into its three-year-old class. I explained: she's been potty trained since January, she's extremely verbal, she was mature enough to perform ballet and tap routines in front of a large audience.
The first church turned me down flat, explaining that Charleigh would miss the age cut-off by two months and eleven days. The second, though, agreed to give her a try unless they had a large three-year-old group; would I be willing to wait until the last minute to find out?
It ended up working out, and the girls' teacher was named (I couldn't make this up if I tried!) Mrs. Angel!, but the story doesn't end there. Jim and I were able to make a quick trip to Baltimore, Sunday, and pick up my eight-year-old nephew Boone (who would've otherwise spent the week in a hotel room), and he was able to attend VBS.
Given that Cade was in Boy Scout camp, this week, I had fifteen hours during which only the baby was in my direct care. I was able to have my eyes examined ("Would you like to see the doctor, now?" the receptionist asked. "He had a last minute cancellation.") and shop for much-needed shoes and shorts. I was able to have breakfast with Becky and her chicks. Also, in keeping with the VBS lessons on serving others, I was able to reach out to a couple families who'd been on my heart.
***
Boone pulls a scrap of red paper from his pocket and hands it to me. It looks like a bead or scroll, as if it's been wrapped around a pencil. I unroll it and read aloud: "Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
"Do you know what the desire of my heart is, Boone?" I ask. He shakes his head.
"That your dad would be well," I tell him. "Do you think--if I delight in the Lord--He will make your dad well?" Our eyes meet for just an instant.
