Why I hang out with Kids

Consistent, loving, fun, energetic, genuine, are all words that are used to define the presence of Dianne Ellis among our Compass Kids here on Sunday mornings. She has made serving children a sacrificial rhythm of her life for many years and we’re better because of it. Recently we asked Dianne to give us a snapshot into why that is, here are her answers…

Why do you enjoy giving your time to serving children on Sundays?

Part of the reason I have always enjoyed working with and hanging out with kids is because I am still a kid at heart. I desire for kids to understand and experience deep down that they are truly loved by God. In His love for them He planned their days before they were formed and he has a life planned out for them. How awesome is that?

I enjoy teaching and hanging out with kids because the simple lessons we discover on Sundays help me keep my faith simple. “Praying is just talking to God.” “God can see us and watches out for us at all times—even in the bathroom!” Oh, and for toddlers and Pre-K and Kindergartners, everything is still a wonder and a miracle to them. The reflection of sunlight sparkling in a mud puddle can seem like a real special gift from God and that’s refreshing.

What struggles or difficulties have you encountered that challenge your ability to serve our children?

Finding balance between work and home by learning how to prepare myself (mentally, emotionally, spiritually) for Sunday mornings is tough. My Monday through Friday job can be real stressful and I can work long hours. I also commute to Tigard and back from Vancouver. By the time Friday night rolls around I am exhausted. There are times as a busy Saturday is ending, I am realizing that I have not read through the lesson or even really prayed for the kids and for our Sunday time. When I am tired I can lose sight of my desire for the teaching time to be joyous and it can sometimes feel like it’s another task I have to accomplish this week. In the midst of this God is good to me, reminding me frequently that these tough times can be some of the best times with Him on Sundays.

Becoming aware of areas of my life that drive me to serve that aren’t the best. I can sometimes get bogged down in thinking, “Oh, I hope the parents really like how I am teaching” or, “I hope the Pastors, particularly the Children’s pastor (!) appreciates me and what I am doing with the kids.” That can be okay but in my past times it has driven me more than wanting to work with God to be the best teacher for the kids. I do feel that as I have gotten older I’ve learned how to hear these voices and bring them to God to speak into. I try to remember this is God’s classroom, not Dianne’s and that He is the teacher and I’m just His messenger for getting His ideas and truths out.

What do you hope children will experience from God as a result of your time with them?

My biggest desire is that all the kids in my life, whether they are babies or 90 year olds, would begin to understand what a special gift they are from God.

Do you have a memorable moment from something that happened recently in your room on Sunday?

This past December while we were talking about the Christmas story, I had the kids imagine what it would have been like in the stable or barn and if they were there what kinds of things they would have seen. I figured they would come up with all sort of different animals and they did. But, they also came up with that the stable would have been filled with cow poop and cow pee! One boy wondered if that would have made Joseph really concerned about where he was taking Mary and baby Jesus. I always enjoy how kids can come up with the little details that could really matter but that sometimes we adults forget about.

Stop by the Pre-K/Kindergarten room on Sunday mornings during second service to get to know Dianne, you’ll be better because of it.