I said, “YES,” to VBS
This year, I said “YES” to Vacation Bible School because, as a caregiver, I needed a break—but not just any break. I needed a change of pace that filled me up instead of draining me.
My daughter is in charge of our VBS and she needed volunteers, so I told her, “I’ll be happy to work registration.” She signed me up.
I showed up the first day, ready to go. I joined the registration team in our assigned room and the leader looked right at me and said, “I think you should go help pre school registration, they need help and we have plenty of people.” Feeling embarrassed, stunned, hurt, and confused, I realized I knew how to do the registration job and it was comfortable. I didn’t want to change, but I quickly realized I didn’t have a choice, so I walked out of the room.
I ran into my daughter's administrative assistant as I walked down the hall and told her what had happened. I wanted to just go home, but knew I needed to find a place to serve. I then looked at her and said words I never thought would come out of my mouth: “Put me in a classroom.” She asked me if I was sure and I nodded.
The opening session had just started, so I headed to the sanctuary AND 5th grade boy's class 5. As I walked in, I heard loud music and the sounds of children screaming.
Now would be a good time to tell you, our church in Bakersfield and my daughter, the children’s ministry director, take VBS seriously. They also run a wonderful and fun program that averages over 2000 kids a day. Yes, I typed that number correctly.
As I climbed the stairs to the balcony, where the 5th grade boy's classes were, I started singing along to the songs. I had been hearing them in the house and car the past few weeks as my daughter and granddaughter were learning them.
That week I became the floating helper, I went from 5th grade boys, to 5th grade girls, then I spent a day in kindergarten, I spent one day in registration, where the leader told me she had made a big mistake and really needed me after all. I told her I was now a floater and would go where ever the director told me she needed me. I ended up back in 5th grade girls for the last two days.
On Friday, the last day, someone handed me the yellow evaluation card, I filled it out and when I got to the remarks part, I wrote, “Next year I’ll skip registration and go right into a classroom, This week has been fun.” I knew this card would end up on my daughter's desk and she would get a kick out of the change that had happened to me over the week. I loved my time in the classroom with the children.
Caring for others every day is rewarding, but it’s also exhausting. VBS gave me a place to serve in a different way—a joyful way. Surrounded by laughter, music, and wide-eyed wonder, I found my heart lightening. It wasn’t about escaping my responsibilities but reconnecting with a part of myself that sometimes gets lost in the daily grind.
Volunteering at VBS gave me purpose outside of caregiving and reminded me I can still laugh, sing, and play. It was a break for my spirit, not just my schedule.
I said yes because sometimes, the best kind of rest is found in doing something meaningful, surrounded by community and childlike faith.
What will your “YES” be?
