Text Box: Number 61 Text Box: Number 61 Text Box: Page # Text Box: Number 61 Focus on Ministry Text Box: Children’s ministry The Meaning of Meanwhile Have you ever felt like your life was at a standstill? Like everyone around you had somewhere important they were heading, but you felt stuck in a season of uncertainty? It is very easy to feel that way in regards to our faith. Why hasn't God answered my prayer yet? Why can I not seem to get ahead in my ministry, at home, at work or in school? Why will this person not surrender their heart to the Lord, even though I have obediently shared Jesus with them? Most of us are familiar with the story of the prophet Samuel's boyhood. Samuel's mother could bare no children because God had closed her womb (1 Sam. 1:5). Hannah persisted in prayer and made a vow to God that if He would bless her with a son, she would dedicate him entirely to the Lord's service. And then she had a meanwhile. Time passed. Other things happened. The Lord continued to prepare Hannah for what He was going to do. Then the meanwhile ended, and she conceived and bore a son (v. 19-20). So Hannah kept her vow to the Lord and when Samuel was weaned, he was brought to the temple to live and serve the Lord. So Samuel should be in the spotlight now, right? This book is about his life, after all. Wrong! Samuel had a meanwhile so the Lord could grow him. The Scripture tells about Hannah again, then about the wicked sons of Eli. The Scripture actually mentions the meanwhile in verse 21, “Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the Lord.” Many times when I feel frustrated for a lack of momentum in my life, if I would slow down and take an objective look at the situation, I would see my life not stagnant or still, but delicately tucked inside the pages of a meanwhile. So, what is a meanwhile? A meanwhile is a spiritual season of growth that is often hidden from human understanding as only God can do. From the outside, change seems a distant dream, but in the spirit, the change is very real. What happens to a caterpillar inside its cocoon is a meanwhile. What happens to a baby inside the womb is a meanwhile: real, substantial growth is occurring, but cannot be constantly monitored. A meanwhile should not be viewed as a frustrating time of nothingness, but rather a passage through a door of beautiful spiritual advancement. When Samuel's meanwhile was over, he, even as a boy, became the great prophet he would be the rest of his life (1 Samuel 3). Even Jesus went through meanwhiles. His first 33 years were unmentioned except for when He was left at the temple in Jerusalem. He came out of His meanwhile as the Son of God. How would you like to go through a 33-year meanwhile? So instead of being frustrated in your meanwhile, live it up. Instead of dreading your now, delve into your remarkable emergence! The nature of seasons is to pass, and each one will do so in its time. Be blessed in your season, whatever it may be! Aaron Granade, Children’s Ministry Co-Director with Jessica Granade Text Box: 50-100 club From the Director Thanks to Pastor Betty Franks for leading our devotions during our September meeting. And thanks to all the ladies who helped with meeting preparations and clean up. At our October meeting on Tuesday, October 14, Tri County Home Health Care will be there from 11:00 until noon to give flu shots. The fee is $25.00. Shots are free with your Part B Medicare card. If you know of anyone who would like to receive a shot, it’s not too late to sign up. Just call the church at 755-0246. You must be at least 18 years of age to get a shot. As always, we will eat together at noon. Our friend, Joann Jumper will be the speaker for the October meeting. We are looking forward to seeing you on October 14. Don’t forget to bring a friend and a covered dish. God bless, Deanna Cole, 50-100 Seniors Club Director Text Box: Nursery Ministry Some Reminders · Due to safety and sanitary regulations, ONLY workers are allowed in the Nursery or Toddler rooms. · A room is available across the hall from the Nursery for nursing mothers. · If you would like to be added to the Nursery/Toddler Schedule, please see WM Assistant Director, Shannon Frye. Training Day for ALL Nursery Workers or those who want to be: Saturday, October 4, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM. Nursery will be provided.