10 Blessings to Be Thankful for in Children’s Ministry

Let’s face it. A children’s ministry leader counts a lot of blessings…and faces a lot of challenges. Perhaps, you’re having a hard time finding things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. It’s okay. You’re not alone.

And yet, there really is always something to be thankful for. We just have to look a little harder for quiet blessings. May we look with you? Here’s a list of 10 hidden blessings to be thankful for in children’s ministry.

1. Thank you, God, for that wiggling child who keeps interrupting me. Because you just showed me who needs some extra love from me today.

2. Thank you, God, for the sports my kids play, and that they can’t participate in practices for the church’s Christmas play. Because I can attend games and reach kids who’d never see Jesus otherwise.

3. Thank you, God, for parents who share their thoughts and opinions. Because it gives me a chance to connect with that family and truly partner with them.

4. Thank you, God, for kids who come in late. Because I get to repeat the message and everyone gets to hear it one more time.

5. Thank you, God, for when a volunteer is out sick. Because I get the opportunity to step in and work closely with kids I don’t normally get to know.

6. Thank you, God, for co-workers at my church. Because even when we have different priorities, we’re on the same team helping people you love.

7. Thank you, God, for shared ministry spaces. Because I clean up and reset, and I get to see how you’re at work in other areas of our church.

8. Thank you, God, for church leadership meetings that run long. Because that shows I have a team that is committed to your cause, rather than skipping out for lunch.

9. Thank you, God, for times when the lesson I had planned just doesn’t work the way I expected it to. Because you took it in a direction that I’d never imagined going.

10. Thank you, God, for all the patience and perseverance that comes along with being a children’s minister. Because in the end, when a child accepts you, it’s all worth it.

Look for blessings every day. And share God Sightings, times where you see God at work, with your team. The children’s ministry world can be tough, but we have so many reasons to be thankful.

Need even more ideas for Thanksgiving to use in your children’s ministry?  Check out all the great ideas we have for you and your ministry! And for even more ideas and daily posts of inspiration, follow us on Facebook!