“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” –Matthew 18:20
Together we worshiped the Lord this morning. Just the three of us. Jesus, her, and me. I’d hoped that others would be there, planned on others being there, but when the big hand was on the ten and the little hand on the twelve, my hope merged with reality. Today, we kept it small. Today, it boiled down to just Jesus, her, and me. Jesus, my daughter, and me. And we didn’t let it dampen our enthusiasm. Instead, we kept doing what we’ve been doing for nearly two years now…
having Sunday School on the second floor of our church.
Some might ask, “Why bother? Why plan and prepare for ten when only one or two show up on a regular basis? Why the investment of energy and prayers and late night runs for supplies to supplement a lesson plan already burgeoning with abundance? Why sow largely into such smallness?”
Reasonable questions. On occasions, questions I’ve asked myself. But each time I do, I cycle back around to the only reasonable answer.
The church belongs to me, and I belong to the church.
When I became a Christian, I signed on to God’s investment plan—sowing his kingdom seed into the lives of those within reach. I don’t get to choose the conditions for that reach. My only obligation is to make sure that I continue to stretch my arms and release God’s heart into the hearts of those who sit beneath my influence. It matters not the size of the audience; what matters is my faithfulness to God’s calling for my life—to know God and then, out of that knowing, to lead others to know the same.
It takes a while to arrive there… to get comfortable with the parameters of God’s choosing. Two years ago, I would have told you that there was little room in my agenda for small investments. Two years ago, I was focused on larger parcels of land. Two years ago, I wasn’t prepared for a Sunday morning of just Jesus, her, and me. But today, it is enough—just Jesus, her, and me.
Today, I see more clearly than I saw two years ago. Pain, suffering, and loss have a way of tempering large notions. Pain, suffering, and loss have a way of sharpening personal perspective, shedding personal ambitions, and shaping a heart for effective ministry. It doesn’t always happen that way. Sometimes pain, suffering, and loss foster opposite understanding. But as for me, my pain, suffering, and loss have taught me the great lesson of reduction.
He must become more; I must become less.
For in that lesser estate, the greatness of God is revealed. And whenever the greatness of God is revealed, then heaven’s work goes on as planned. Even in a Sunday School classroom when it’s just Jesus, her, and me.
The church belongs to me, and I belong to the church. The church belongs to you, and you belong to the church. Whether you sow in largeness or in smallness this week, sow generously and sow always in the loving name of the Lord. God measures your kingdom influence not by numbers but rather by your faithfulness to minister to those numbers. Even when it’s just Jesus, her, and you.
Especially then.
Even so, keep to it. As always…
Peace for the journey,
elaine
Difficulties have a way of increasing – and tempering – our vision. You are right where you need to be, Elaine. This post blessed me.
Such a good example of letting God use us right where we are and in just the way He chooses. And the lesson of no matter the size of the audience — how applicable to our writing lives as well, huh?
Rich blessings to you this week, Elaine!
Good word for today! Words we need to know and believe. Your daughter has an amazing Sunday School teacher!
As a Sunday School teacher myself, I Loved this.
Your daughter is a blessed young lady. 🙂
Amen sweet sis. You are blessed to have each other, keep on worshipping. I love you.
Your thoughts " hit the spot" this morning. Thank you Elaine for sharing your journey with us.
I am just thinking how blessed your daughter is! Such a sweet time of worship together! Have a wonderful day…HUGS
Priceless! Then again, wisdom always is. I am mindful of how costly it is, for rarely do we come by it – wisdom – without some huge investment. You have certainly given that.
This particular wisdom puts me in mind of how priceless is the position of "least". I don't always rush there, but whenever I find myself there as you have done in this post, I find it's where I really want/wanted to be all along.
You'll just never, NEVER know how much this is for me today. Or maybe you can imagine. (I think you may have done a similar post awhile ago, but THIS one is SO "spot on" in its timing for my heart.)
Today, we – my husband and I – WILL fall down and lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus. And we'll do it again tomorrow, and the next day.
You know my heart is with you, Rebecca, and all of the saints of God who faithfully sow in smallness. I do believe that God is especially in those moments, and wherever God is, is where I want to be.
May the Holy Spirit's ministering presence guide you, strengthen you, and satisfy you in your obedience to serve him.
It's all a gain for heaven.
I love you, each one, and I stand with you on the front lines of faith!!!
~elaine
This so much reminds me of the song "Little is Much When God Is In It" ! I love that you and your little girl have this time together worshipping the Lord. SHE will never, ever forget about this in her whole lifetime and that's worth it all!
I remember a Sunday morning MANY years ago when I,like you, had prepared a lesson for several children but ended up serving it up to only my three kids. Benny was working midnight shift and so I would always send church clothes, towel & soap & toiletries with him on Saturday night. He was able to take a shower and change as soon as he got off work. Then he would drive straight to church and only usually be 10 minutes late for Sunday school. I would drive myself and the 3 kids to church. This particular morning we had had rain during the night and our 8 miles or so of muddy dirt roads were a little slick. I skidded off in a ditch and could not back out. This was way before cell phone days so there we were. Stuck on a dirt road with no houses for miles and very little traffic. I think a couple of cars did drive by but no one ever stopped. So, I knew that when Benny got to church and we were not there he would call our home and if we were not there he would come and find us. In the mean time I got out my Sunday school lesson complete with flannel graph pictures (which I just had to hold) and taught the story to my kids in the car. They've never forgotten that! And Benny did come to our rescue just like I knew he would! 🙂
LOVE YOU ELAINE for seeing God in the little things just as much as you do in the big things!
Marilyn
Sowing seeds for the Kingdom into the heart of your beautiful, sweet Amelia…I cannot think of anything more precious than that.What wonderful memories she will have of your time together!
Love you…
Elaine,
This is such a beautiful post! Your Savior is so proud of you! It is not the size of the ministry that matters but our faithfulness to it. And the fact that you are sowing His Word into the life of your precious daughter is so wonderful! You are such an inspiration! You have not wasted your pain.
Blessings,
Susan
Love love! May I always remember that Jesus, Her and Me is Enough! You bless me. May we always consider it is really just for an Audience of One anyways. Blessings sweet friend!
thanks Elaine…every Sunday we are lucky to have 2 kids in SS, but we go on for that is what God has called us to do
oh, sweet rebecca's words…brought visions of all of our shut-ins who can't be with us in worship any longer
special time with your girl 😉
hope you have a wonderful week
Elaine,
this post was written for me. Especially these words:
I don’t get to choose the conditions for that reach. My only obligation is to make sure that I continue to stretch my arms and release God’s heart into the hearts of those who sit beneath my influence. It matters not the size of the audience; what matters is my faithfulness to God’s calling for my life—to know God and then, out of that knowing, to lead others to know the same.
Yesterday I had a bit of a pity party over something related to ministry. I voiced my disappointment and my hurt to my God and He listened and smiled and nodded…because He understands. Today, he led me here to be reminded that whatever ministry opportunities He appoints for me are just that…for me and it is my responsibility to do my very best regardless of the size or scope of the audience.
Thank you. Thank you so much for these words
Sweet Elaine…no not just sweet…precious! Its the lesson not the attendance numbers. Why do we get so hung up in the numbers sometimes?
Living Out Loud – Pamela
How utterly precious! Jesus was smiling horizon to horizon as you conducted SS with your daughter. Oh, the abounding faith, warm humility, and total dedication it took…..all so very very precious!
Your daughter learned more than we'll ever know through this experience.
Love you!
Dear Elaine
The lesson that pain brings our way is something that the enemy never bargained for.
I just love that John the Baptist quote, one of my favorites indeed – He must increase, I must decrease.
Greatness in God's kingdom means learning to be willing to have the heart of a servant.
I agree, your daughter has the best Sunday School teacher in the world. The investment is surely worth it.
But, really Elaine, you are the one learning the most from this!
And I can't thank you enough for sharing these precious life lessons with us.
Love
Lidia