Children’s ministry volunteers are called upon to wear unique costumes. I’ve dressed as a mad scientist, superhero and a construction barrel. Yes, a construction barrel. I had to get in touch with my inner highway barricade.
Author: Kevin Spear
I am a content creator and storyteller based in Florida, where I work for OneHope. I love digital and content marketing, writing, and the occasional doodle.
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More Jelly Beans Prayer
I love jelly beans. There! I’ve said it! I loved them ever since I bit into my first licorice jelly bean. They gave me great satisfaction because I soon learned many kids didn’t like them. So I would happily collect all the black licorice jelly beans while my classmates would gladly hand them over.
Judging by this cartoon, perhaps I have Egg-stravaganza PTSD. I have been through my fair share of Easter egg hunting events. It can take over a church before you know it.
In fact, if the egg hunt was inside, the pulpit would undoubtedly be used as a hiding spot. I am guessing the pastor knows that is the case and he his hiding the really good chocolate, peanut butter eggs inside the pulpit. I know that is where my grandfather hid the really good treats from his grandkids.
I drew this cartoon for the Church of God ENewsletter.
Easter egg hunts are great lessons on survival of the fittest. Young kids learn right away that the big, older kids will take no prisoners, but they will take all of the Easter eggs. Parents scope out the competition and will plot, block and intimidate the older kids while their little one tries to discern an Easter egg from a twig.
Meanwhile, the older kids begin trash talking their peers about their lack of egg-grabbing ability. the avarice and cutthroat competition is on display for everyone to see. It’s an example of what happens when you commercialize a religious holiday. So if you’re conducting an Easter egg Egg-stravaganza this week, be sure to find some ways to even the playing field and minimize the competition between the preschoolers and the preteens. Sure, maybe everyone won’t get their quota, but their may be fewer broken hearts and empty plastic Easter eggs.
Last month, I got to spend spring break in Florida with my wife and daughter. Each time I’ve gone down for spring break, palm branches would be on my mind. For a kid from Indiana, they are exotic. But in Florida, they are as common as Indiana maple leaves.
When something is common to us, it loses its meaning. To the disciples, that Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem could have been just another amazing day with their teacher. They had three years of amazing days. It may have felt common. But soon, they would realize how amazing that event was. In less than a week, the crowd would turn on the one they praised with “Hosannas.”
I drew this in 2010 for Kidzmatter Magazine.