By Donna Andrew

How well do you cope when things start to go wrong? (This is a trick question.) Yes, as adults, we should realize that in everyday life, we face difficult challenges and uncertainty. However, the way the 2020s have gone so far, we’ve ALL had to learn new ways to find resilience. This includes OUR KIDS! You know resilience, right? That’s the idea of climbing back on after you “get knocked off your horse.” Many of us have seen the television shows where contestants battle physical obstacles (think outrageous obstacle course) only to get knocked off course and plummet into the dark waters below? And if that contestant can come back to the course to complete the race, we CHEER! Don’t we applaud their refusal to give up? We admire their spunk, courage, and tenacity! They are resilient! They got back up after something knocked them off course. Are we, as followers of Christ, resilient? (Don’t answer, it’s another trick question.) Let’s think about it from a biblical perspective. Did the first Christians look back down when confronted by those who weren’t followers of Christ? No! Our earliest brothers and sisters in Christ refused to give up, even when they were outcast, persecuted, and treated cruelly. Simply put, their lives were dangerous and very difficult. But their example lives on and guides us. With resilience as our theme, we will take the five Sundays of May and dive into the Bible stories that exemplify the faithful servants of God who refused to give up. Ultimately, we want kids and their families to realize we all can decide to keep going because of what Jesus did for us. Resilience might not be easy, but God’s Word gives us incredible examples to follow in the most challenging times of life. Our memory verse for May is Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not grow faint.” (NIV)