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Attitude children cartoons motivation

When Did You Find Out You Were the Problem?

Cartoon of girl and teddy bear. Girl says “I don’t like your taste in television.”

Frequently, we blame others for the problems we are facing. We think life would be perfect if only that person got their act together. We believe we are helpless to change circumstances and if only that person did their job correctly, things would be perfect!

It never occurs to us, we may have the solution. We are like the girl in my cartoon. She believes her teddy bear is keeping her from her favorite TV show. When she realizes she can change the channel, she may be in a much better mood.

If you are going through a challenge today, consider if you have more control than you realize. At the very least, we have control of our own attitude. If you are allowing someone to get under your skin, reconsider why you are giving that person that kind of control over your emotions. You have more choices than you realize.

Have you ever had a challenging time that became better once you realized you had more control than you thought? Share it in the comments.

Cartoon of girl and teddy bear. Girl says “I don’t like your taste in television.”
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children's ministry children's ministry cartoons K! Magazine Kidzmatter Magazine Magazine

Have You Ever Regretted Your Timing?

Cartoon of a teacher watching hyper kids. The caption reads, "Eric was SO close to get a spiritual truth across... then the sugary snacks kicked in."
Previously published in K! Kidzmatter Magazine

When I lead a large group of kids on a Sunday morning, there is a huge difference between the first and second hours.

The first hour brings in the zombie kids. They may or may not realize where they are. Some of their shoes are untied. The eyelids are half-opened. You may see a little drool at the corner of their mouths. Some are able to muster the strength to participate in the game or song.

The second hour brings in the kids that have had a chance to digest their breakfast. Their small group leaders probably gave them a treat. Yes, they have a little jump in their step. They are hyped and ready to go. The sugar has kicked in.

Timing can be really important whether you are teaching kids or have a presentation in front of a group. For adults, mornings may be the best time while you need to avoid the time just after lunch. For kids, mid-morning may be the best time to get your lesson across.

Have you ever had a time where you realized the timing of your lesson or presentation was off? Share your experience and what you learned from it in the comments.

Cartoon of a teacher watching hyper kids. The caption reads, "Eric was SO close to get a spiritual truth across... then the sugary snacks kicked in."
Previously published in K! Kidzmatter Magazine
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children cartoons children's ministry church cartoons

Birthday Expectations

Cartoon of boy and pastor

When a friend or family member has a birthday, there can be all sorts of expectations. Some want a very special day. Others want the most low key birthday possible. Then there are those that want a little attention, but not too much.

I have never seen a choir burst out in a spontaneous rendition of Happy Birthday, but I think that would be so awesome. Because I haven’t seen it before, the surprise would be priceless.

Kids love to be noticed on their birthday. When I created this cartoon, I thought of how children love to be the center of attention when it’s their day. There have been many times when a child has come up to me to announce his or her birthday. Then there are the introverted ones who have a friend relay the message. Most kids want to be acknowledged on their special day.

Today, I get to honor someone at my work with a birthday celebration. We’ll have a brief acknowledgement and a few cookies. I don’t think we’ll be singing Happy Birthday though. We are a creative group, but I don’t think any of us are musically creative. And it may be a little short notice to hire a choir.

What has been your favorite birthday memory? Share it in the comments below.

Cartoon of boy and pastor
Categories
children's ministry children's ministry cartoons K! Magazine Kidzmatter Magazine Magazine

Activities, Coloring Pages, and Faith

Cartoon of a Sunday school teacher and a boy. The boy is coloring. He says, "How will my faith be enhanced by this coloring page?"
Previously printed in K: Kidzmatter Magazine

When I created this cartoon, I was poking fun at myself and the work I was doing. For about ten years, I had the privilege to create activity and coloring books for a publisher. I loved doing it and miss it even today.

I have spent scores of hours making activities, coloring pages and books. I have also spent a lot of time in classrooms relying on activity pages for kids. I have even posted some of my creations on this blog and they continue to get traffic because Sunday school teachers are always needing a resource, especially when they have kids to teach and entertain.

Have I ever heard of a child coming to salvation through a word search or a maze? No, and I suppose we would be hard-pressed to find such stories, though anything is possible. See Luke 1:37.

Yet, I may never know how an activity pages may have helped reinforce a Bible story that may contribute to a future decision. Perhaps it is a bit of seed-sowing that will produce a harvest later.

At any rate, if I do more activity pages in the future, I know they may not the crucial puzzle piece to a testimony. I’ll walk a fine line between not being too serious about the endeavor and yet know it could be one tiny puzzle piece in a big picture.

Do you have any stories of activity pages or books that benefited you as a teacher or student? Let’s hear about it in the comments.

Cartoon of a Sunday school teacher and a boy. The boy is coloring. He says, "How will my faith be enhanced by this coloring page?"
Previously printed in K: Kidzmatter Magazine
Categories
motivation

Growing Up and Learning to Laugh

Cartoon of two biblical characters complaining

You grow up the day you have the first real laugh at yourself.

Ethel Barrymore

The story of Moses and the Israelites have always intrigued me. Here is a story about a group of people that found their freedom through a series of miracles, yet they had the tendency to moan and groan. Their complaining turned a two-week trip into a forty-year camping ordeal. It was such an interesting story to me that I made a coloring and activity book out of it.

Things would have turned out much better if they had faith and realized how silly they were acting. Of course, that also means things will turn out better for me when I remember to do the same.

This cartoon stands out to me because when I wrote this, I had lived in the same place for years. My address was not more than fifty miles from my birthplace. I had never lived anywhere but Central Indiana until five years ago. Now I see myself in this cartoon and laugh at our adventures and misadventures over the last five years.

It’s not much fun to be around someone who either has forgotten to laugh at themselves or never learned to. I am thankful I have learned to laugh over the years.

Have you learned to laugh at yourself? Let us know in the comments below.

Cartoon of two biblical characters complaining