What I Learned at VBS
“Help me slow down, Jesus.
Hheellpp mmee ssllooww ddoowwnn JJEEUUSS.
Hhheeelllppp mmmeee ssslllooowww dddoowwwnnn, JJJEEEUUUSSS.
Hhhheeeellllpppp, mmmmeeee, sssslllloooowwww ddddoooowwwwnnnn, JJJJEEEEUUUUSSSS.” —“Bible Story Teller” in Rolling River Rampage: Experience the Ride of a Lifetime with God! (Cokesbury VBS, 2018).
My friend, Mary Manning, and I have been the storytellers at St. Mark’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) for many summers. I have been the storyteller at VBS at the other churches I served, but I always did it alone. It was so amazing to have a partner. Mary is a retired schoolteacher. I am a retired teacher of medical school students, residents, and fellows, but Mary had a lot to teach me. I had decided how to tell the story for each group. At our first meeting, Mary suggested we do it another way. She was so right. I keep thinking what a disaster it would have been if she had not been there.
Now I know why Jesus sent the disciples out two by two. At my late stage of life, I am learning that almost any ministry is better with a partner or even more, if possible. We learn so much from each other’s experience and expertise.
This prayer for today about slowing down was our favorite from the story of Mary and Martha. I try to say it during my day, every day.
I learned one more thing at VBS. Mary and I were with each group of children for only twenty minutes. We told stories about Jesus calling the disciples, Mary and Martha, Zacchaeus, the Last Supper, and Jesus sending his disciples out with the assurance he would be with them always. Before telling the new story each day, we would review the story from the previous day. I was amazed that the children in each group, even the four-year-olds, remembered so much of yesterday’s story. Of course, each story was reinforced through crafts, music, and games.
VBS taught me that what we teach and what we say can be like seeds planted to germinate in children’s hearts at some later date. I am reminded of my teachers at VBS, who taught me about the love of God through stories. I am still learning from them through Mary.
