I walked out of my bedroom today, and laughed out loud… Barbies were lined up, one by one, their backs sitting neatly against each and every spindle of the balcony railing at the top of the stairs. Several held itty bitty Barbie babies in their arms.

I surveyed the entire scene with amusement.  “What are your Barbies doing?” I asked my daughter.

With confidence, she proudly announced, “They’re at church!”

Joy. I felt its warmth. I told her I thought it was wonderful that they were at church. She had also established: a parking lot with red and pink plastic convertibles which were lined up one behind the other, a Barbie to run the projector via miniature computer, and a food area (her favorite!) for fellowship time after the service. She then asked me if a lady could be a pastor or preacher too. (She already had a Barbie picked out for this job!)

I told her that first a pastor must be called by God. I told her that God calls many women into ministry too. This brought a smile to her sweet face. I told her God is pleased and happy when we spread His good news by telling people about Jesus. I mentioned a Christian female speaker I admire, and she asked me to repeat her name. I reminded her of how Mommy teaches Sunday School (She’s in my class, so her eyes lit up.). I told my daughter that she too, can tell lots of people about Jesus!

My daughter informed me that she was going to name her Barbie “Pastor Chocolate.” She told me Pastor Chocolate was going to preach to her church about “patience.” I told her I thought it was a wonderful topic and that people need to learn how to be patient! I told her I also thought even more people would want to come to church if their pastor had a name like that, because it would make them think of something good! After all… The love of Jesus is sweeter than chocolate!

When we are tired and worn down, we can become susceptible to believing the lies the enemy tells us about ourselves. We may think we’re not accomplishing much, and we may begin to wonder if our children are missing out. But in the chaos of life’s demands, there’s a silver lining: Our children are watching us. They are observing, questioning, and imitating the good things and the godly things. They watch us give our testimonies and walk in obedience to Christ. They are thinking about Jesus when they eat, and sleep, and play. Their Barbies might even just happen to be…going to church!

 Preach, Pastor Chocolate, Preach!

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Prov. 22:6 English Standard Version