Don’t Weary, Be Hoping

First: thank you.

Thanks for your servant-leadership to our students and their families each morning and afternoon.

To all who invest in the spirit, mind and body of our school-age children and youth: thank you.

The following is a morning devotion written for our YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne Childcare Services Staff to start off their half-day training event.

May it be an encouragement for all who care for and serve children in our schools; even though it is a bleak winter and everyone feels stretched too far – don’t weary, be hoping.

This morning as I read through the Hebrew Scriptures and the prophet Isaiah (40:27:31) – and as I reflected on the challenging situations of our childcare leaders, Bobby McFerrin and his catchy tune got stuck in my head: Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

I wondered what it would be like to mash the two lyrics together: Don’t Weary, Be Hoping.

What do you think?

For me it grounded the chirpy sweet song in the promises of The LORD, the everlasting God, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth – who sees you in your weariness, sees you caring for children, sees you striving to do good, and reminds us: the weary who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

Now that the song is stuck in your head, and as you read slowly through the poetic promise of God, if you were going to be vulnerable for a moment: what’s been making you weary?

And what would it look like for you to trust the Lord with it, to turn the complaint into hopeful expectation?

As one who cares for children, even when you’re weary, the words of Jesus can be a comfort and inspiration, helping you transform that complaint into a hopeful expectation.

And in particular his perspective on the young ones in our midst (the ones who can make us weary and cause much complaining):

Jesus has a unique take on being with children: we ought to become more like them.

Taking Jesus’ instructions to heart, for you: in their best moments, what is it about the children in your care that you want to imitate more?

As leaders we can’t escape from the complaints people make about us, and we’ll always be tempted to complain about others; but: what would we tell kids in our care if they were complaining a little too much?

As leaders, our work is about influence and responsibility, sacrifice and perseverance; but it’s also about love, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness – and it’s this fruit of the Spirit that we can learn from the little children.

When you reflect on the love, joy and peace that Jesus brings to the little children in his care – and that can include you – how might that begin to transform the weariness you carry in your spirit, mind and body?

Thank you for loving, caring and serving the children and youth in your midst, thank you for your leadership and influence, your sacrifices and perseverance – especially in these wearisome times.

Thank you for being there for them, for showing up, for your humility and vulnerability, your listening ear and playful spirit; and may the Lord continually renew your strength, all you who remember: don’t weary, be hoping.

Apply today for YMCA Child Care Services before-after school: www.fwymca.org/jobs