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I was on Instagram a few days ago when I saw a story posted by a member of Bethel Church in Redding, CA. The caption read something like, “Baptizing special needs children today.”

I watched, speechless, as a young boy climb into the water wearing goggles, and then had water gently poured over his head. I suddenly found myself crying uncontrollably. It was such a short clip, but I played it again and again, overcome by the simple beauty of it’s message.

I was thrilled when I came across a video of this special service on Facebook shared by Bethel Church.

A portion of the caption reads,

“During our Sunday morning services, we have children’s ministry for children with special needs. One of the children asked to be baptized, so we set up a special service where we baptized twelve children. Some of them were afraid of the water, some of them didn’t want to get out, it was one of the most beautiful and unique baptism services we have ever had.”

Why does this move us so deeply? What is so profound about the way this church is loving these important members of the congregation?

Do you know what I think is so remarkable about this service? Bethel Church said, “Yes!”

Yes, we will allow you to participate in the way that you are able.

Yes, we will celebrate the work that the Lord is doing in your life.

Yes, we will give you the freedom to experience this joy in the whatever way you feel comfortable.

Yes, we will love you just as you are!

What a picture of the body of Christ loving well! I have to agree, it is truly one of the most beautiful and unique baptism services I have ever seen. I am both inspired and encouraged to better love every member of the body of Christ.

Bethel Church makes me want to say, “Yes!” in whatever way I can, too… Looking for others and bringing them into to experience the love of the Lord in every way possible.

What do you think? Do you know of any other church that offers opportunities like this for children with special needs? I’d love to hear about them!

My daughter didn’t talk to her pre-k teachers until nearly the end of the first semester of school. She was intensely shy when it came to new adults, but she communicated easily with her friends. If she needed to use the restroom, she would ask her friend to ask the teacher for her. No matter how much I pushed, or encouraged, or tried to get her to expand her boundaries, she just couldn’t overcome her fear. I talked to her doctor about it. I read articles about how to help her. I prayed a lot.

But as she worked toward becoming more comfortable with her teachers, they were beyond patient with her. They let her grow without pressure. They worked with her individual needs. They created new ways to assess what she was learning without requiring her to speak to them. It was tricky, but we figured it out together.

And the day that she woke up and decide she would finally speak to them, they grabbed their phones and sent me a video of her talking… and I cried.

So when I went to the store to find a nice card that said how thankful I am for each of my children’s teachers, I just couldn’t find one that said everything I had in my heart to tell them. Let’s be honest, it would take a small book to cover it all.

So I’m starting here. This isn’t everything I want to say, but it is a good place to begin on the last day of school.

Dear Teachers,

Thank you. What you have done for my children this year is more than I could have asked. They were taught. They learned. They grew as students and as people, but more than all of that…

They were loved. They were cared for. And I’m so grateful. To be honest, I feel a little weepy. Okay. I’m crying as I type.

Maybe I’m just tired. Maybe here at the end of the school year when we are all making our way toward the finish line doing the very best that we can, I’m just emotionally spent. (Aren’t we all?!) After all, raising children is no easy task. But maybe I’m more emotional than usual because I recognize that is exactly what we are doing together.

We are raising these children. There is all that talk about how it takes a village to raise a child. But when I made the choice to send my children to school, I realized that I was trusting you with being a part of our village. I was trusting you to help me raise them.

So before I say one more word, I want to say thank you for being someone that I can trust with my kids. Thank you for your compassionate heart. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for correcting them with kindness.

Thank you for loving them. Thank you for showing up every day with more of yourself to give and caring for my kids like I would.

I imagine some days you show up to work and it feels just like that… work. I imagine some days you feel underappreciated. I am sure some days you wonder if your students’ parents know just how much you pour into their children.

But today… if I haven’t said it enough… or ever… I just want to say that I do. I see it all (even if I might not see it all.)

Hours… days… Weeks… Months… of your life you given to grow my children, and there aren’t enough thank yous to cover the gratitude that I feel.

There is a book by Dr. Seuss called, Oh, The Places You’ll Go. I’m sure you’re familiar with it. I’ve heard of parents buying a copy for each of their children and having every teacher sign it – eventually gifting to their children at graduation.

But it isn’t just our kids who are setting out on new adventures. It isn’t just the students that go out into the world,  and face new things, and come up with new ideas, and change everything for the better. Because the truth is, everywhere my children will go, the lessons you have taught will go with them.

Oh, the places YOU will go, teachers… in our hearts, and minds, and discoveries, and inventions, and in all that we will ever live to become.

So, while it doesn’t seem like enough, I’ll finish the year with a thank you from someone who was able to see just how much one child can grow in such a short amount of time when given the gift of a teacher who loves.

(Also, I’m going to be needing back one of those boxes of Kleenex I bought at the beginning of the year now.)

With Sincerest Thanks and Love,

Becky

Hi! I’m Becky, and I am the founder of an online community called Scissortail SILK where 100,00 of us meet on social media to encounter Jesus and encourage one another. Let’s connect!

Update: So sorry for the slow loading time! There are THOUSANDS of you trying to read this at the same time, but I am so glad that each of you are here. I think you are here for a reason. Find me on facebook so that we can connect, and maybe come back tomorrow and explore the site a little more when there aren’t so many people reading.

To my son’s precious kindergarten teacher:

I’ve been meaning to write you this letter for a while now. I had planned on writing it out with a pen and paper and sending it to school in Kolton’s backpack. But we both know that it would never actually make it into his backpack. I would end up handing it to you during pickup and giving this awkward explanation as to what is written inside. So I thought I would spare us both that moment.

And the truth is, the more I thought about it, the more I realized these words should be spoken to every teacher… and every woman going back to work on Monday. And so, they are to you, but they are also for them. I suppose the best place to start is:

Thank you.

Kolton came home for Christmas break so excited about the two weeks off of school. Since this is his first year being in school all day long, he wasn’t quite sure what he would do with all his free time. But he quickly busied himself building Legos and teasing his sister relentlessly. (PS You are a saint for handling more than a dozen little ones like him every day. How do you do it?!)

But here’s the thing. One day at the beginning of break, Kolton picked up this little book that he had brought home with him… and he started to read it. He sounded out the words he didn’t know and flew past the sight words you all have been spending so much time memorizing.

And I was so excited! I was so proud! I handed him another book, and he was able to read much of that book as well! But all of a sudden, my joy sort of… turned a little. I can’t quite describe it, but all at once, I was a little… jealous? I know that might sound crazy, but I will just say it. I was jealous of you.

See, up until this year, most of what Kolton learned, he learned here with me. Yes, he went to Pre-K last year, and his wonderful teachers there are some of my favorite people. But I guess I didn’t have much time to be jealous of them. He was gone for half of a day, and I had a newborn last year.

But when I was standing there in my kitchen and Kolton was reading me a book… and I knew that the last time he and I read together he was not this proficient… I felt it. I was sad. My kid was reading for the first time, and I was sad about it.

Because I realized that you taught him to read… and I realized that he was growing without me.

It was a new feeling for me. But as I stood there thinking, I realized that you might feel the same way sometimes. I know that you have to leave your little one so that you can go to school and teach my son. And I just want to take a second and acknowledge that. I am sure that you feel like you are missing things too. I am sure you feel like your little one is growing without you too.

But I want to acknowledge the sacrifice you make is not simply for a job, but for my son and the other children in his class just like him. The work you do matters. You pour into little hearts every day, because you know the work you do matters. I don’t think you would do it if you weren’t sure of that.

But because I know I haven’t told you yet, I just wanted to stop before Monday morning and say, Thank you. I am so grateful that you make going to school a thing that my son enjoys. I am so thankful that you teach with kindness and endless patience. I am so thankful that you have embraced this calling, and I know that you’re gleaning strength to keep pouring out love from the only One who can truly fill your heart.

So before tomorrow morning, when we both drop our children off for the day, I just wanted to remind you (and maybe another woman reading this post,) that what you do outside of your home is such a beautiful thing. Not only in how you provide for your family, but in how you are teaching your children that momma’s dreams are worth pursuing as well. What a powerful lesson.

I know you may have been dreading this part of going back to work, but please know that you have at least one momma (and hopefully many others) willing to acknowledge the sacrifice you make, willing to pray that the Lord will comfort your heart, and willing to remind you that He will take care your little one, while He helps you take care of mine.

Praying for an easy transition for every momma going back to work tomorrow (and every momma at home too.)

We’re in it together, friends.

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OH, ANXIOUS MOM

You think about her. Sometimes it is when your little one calls you momma, or reaches for you, or snuggles in close. Other times it is when you are in the middle of an ordinary day and you look at your baby and remember the gift. You remember the offering. And you whisper in your heart a quiet, “Thank you.”

She changed your entire life forever. She changed the landscape of your family and every generation after.

And as a momma, you understand that no matter the circumstances surrounding her sacrifice, she loved that baby. Her baby. Your baby.

Without her, your family would be incomplete.

Without her, you wouldn’t have your baby – or your little girl, or your little boy, or your teenager.

Without her, you might not even be a momma.

Without her.

This world is full of choices. Each small one rolling into the next and turning into a lifetime. And whether we realize it or not, every choice pulls other people into our stories – forever knitting them into the fabric of our hearts. Tying the lines that connect us to one another and making an elaborate tapestry of destinies.

The beautiful truth is your heart will forever be tied up with hers because she made a choice a million hours ago, or a thousand hours ago, or maybe even just a few hours ago to love her baby enough to let him live… without her.

And today, we remember that without her never meant so much.

Happy Adoption Month to every family thankful for every “her,” and to every “her” who made the choice to create a family.

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You fed them donuts didn’t you? The left over ones from the lobby? Or maybe they were animal crackers or goldfish. Maybe those circle vanilla wafers?? Whatever their snack was… they sure loved it. Because let’s be honest they aren’t too interested in lunch now. But it’s okay. Really. I totally don’t blame you. I have been around my kids – especially when they are hungry. I understand. Feed them.

They said they had a great time today. They were able to tell me a little about the lesson. They said something about a fire and some guys and Jesus being with them. They said the guys didn’t get burned up because Jesus was with them. And really – right now, I’m not sure there is a more appropriate message. Cuz that fire… well, it’s everywhere. But now because of you, my sweet kids know that if Jesus was with those guys in the fire – He will be with them too. It was something I needed to hear too.

But you know, no matter what lesson they learned this morning – you taught them something else… just by being there. And I just wanted to take a minute to say, “Thank you.” This morning, you taught a room full of precious hearts that you care. You taught them that there are safe people in this world who love Jesus too. You taught them that Church is a place where they can be loved. You showed them God.

I know that pastor went a little over time this morning. I have been downstairs in the nursery a time or two myself so when pastor said, “Let me just say this, and then I will close” at five after 12, I thought of you. I thought of how you were probably playing clean up, or find your shoes, or changing the last of the diapers, or organizing all of the coloring pages that would go home today. I am sure as minutes ticked by you kept thinking, Any minute parents will show up to take these hungry, tired, ready-for-a-nap, kiddos home. That’s probably when you pulled out the extra snacks. That’s what I would have done.

But even though it was a few minutes longer than usual, you did it. You made it work. You didn’t lose your patience or your cool or your mind. You just kept loving those kids, knowing that for some of them it will be the most love they receive all week. What a wonderful thing you do.

I know that some weeks, you would probably rather just not show up. You would probably rather be with the adults or in regular service. I know that some weeks, this ministry might not be your very favorite… but just in case you haven’t been told in a while… at least by me…

Thank you.

Thank you for feeding my kids goldfish and the love of Jesus, so that I have the chance to be fed in church as well. Thank you for your ministry that doesn’t just touch the heart of my children, but touches every family that comes to our Church. Thank you for giving your time. Thank you for giving your love.

When it seems like your service goes unnoticed – I just want to tell you that it does not. We see the work that you are doing – and we honor it.

Because it is more than donuts and daycare. It’s the opportunity to impact destinies. And this Momma is so very grateful for all that you do.

What about you? Do you know a children’s church worker that you want to thank too? Don’t forget to share this with them.

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