Nanny Diaries

I like to peal the paper off of crayons and color with the crayon lying sideways; especially, if I am coloring the sky or the grass. I love being a nanny, because it is like getting paid to play and do arts and crafts with kids. Thankfully, Nanning has also provided opportunities from God to grow in patience, discipline, and denial of self. Yesterday, i got to direct a skit with the girls. I thought it would be good for them to explore acting, since they like to read so much. More than that, I figured it would be a good opportunity for them to be exposed to the best book in the world, the Bible. So yesterday, i cast them to parts in the skit entitled, "The Good Shopper," which takes after Jesus' story, "The Good Samaritan." My story isn't half as good as Jesus' story, but i wanted to expose the girls to the character of Jesus in a relate-able way. I think the "Good Samaritan," in my story the, "Good Shopper," displays Jesus' compassion very well. The characters in the skit are: Lassie, the kid that saved up all her allowance to buy her grandmother a Christmas gift, Miss-On-Time, Miss Popular, the Good Shopper who helps Lassie, and the Bullies that pick-on and rob Lassie. There is also a narrator to the skit. The girls play more than one character with quick costume changes behind their family room sofa. They take turns being the narrator when they are not on "stage" [The stage is their family room floor rug]. I am looking forward to seeing how the parents respond when we perform the skit for them on my last day of work before Christmas break. I told their mother that we have been practicing a skit to perform for them, i didn't tell her what it was about, but she insisted that her and her husband would come home early that day and have me over for dinner after we perform the skit. I see it being likely that conversation about the skit and about Jesus will come up over dinner. This time with them can be a good opportunity to share the gospel. However, i am really cowardly when it comes to sharing with parents of children that i babysit, so i will really need the Lord's power and strength. I am confident that He can share His love through me.

Other happenings: yesterday, after i shared Jesus' story about the Good Samaritan, they wanted to hear another story. Side note, whenever I share stories about Jesus with the girls, they always want to hear more, it is quite interesting. Back to yesterday's happenings: i has this book of chronological narrated stories from the Bible with me, so i started by reading the first narration about God creating the Heavens and the Earth. The had correct answers to the questions at the end of the narration, but the older of the two girls said, "But, i don't believe that God created the earth. We have different beliefs." Part of my heart shattered to hear that; a girl who is eight years old with a clear stand on her opinions, which were different than everything i has just shared. One thing that i can say though, is that they DON'T remember the teachings they learn every weekend from the Monks at the Buddhist temple, but they DO seem to remember the teachings of Jesus that they hear from me. God can move in their hearts if it is His will, and I pray that thay is the case.

When i first arrived to work, the younger girl insisted that i bow down and pray to her cat with her. I told her that i would not do that, because the only One I pray to is, Jesus. She tried to convince me by saying that her cat is the king of cats; i still declined. At the end of my shift before it was time for me to leave, she said, "Miss Heather, you still have to pray t my cat with me, you promised!" I clearly told her that i never promised that to her, and told her i had to go. Her mom told her that she would pray to her cat with her, and told her daughter to let me go home with a, "Have a nice evening, i will see you tomorrow," and out the door I went.

After work i sought out some quiet time to read and meditate on Ephesians 2:12-22, i got to read about how my relationship with Jesus has changed. I was once in the world without God, and far from Him; an alien, a stranger. This was all because i couldn't keep God's Law. In result, there was a wall of hostility between us. However, when i put my faith in Jesus that sky-high wall of hostility was broken down through His blood, and i was brought near to Him. Jesus had kept God's Law and took the punishment for my sin. The punishment was God's wrath which came upon Him through His bleeding-to-death on a cross. Jesus killed hostility and reconciled me to God through the cross; I have no one else to be more thankful to, and nothing else to be more thankful for. i am no longer a stranger, no longer an alien, but a citizen with other saints, and a member of the household of God. My God is personal and dwells in me. Jesus came to preach to those who were far off, and to those who were near. I was once far off, but now i am near, and He still preaches to me through His living Word. Thank you, Lord.