We start vacation Bible school today. What a week of chaos and confusion! And I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Every year in early June, we open our church building and welcome boys and girls from four years old through eighth grade to come and learn with us what it means to follow Jesus. And every year we have a couple of hundred of those boys and girls take us up on that offer.

That very first night we look around and wonder, “What have we gotten ourselves into?” We do it every year, but it is a challenge each time.

The fact is that children are messy and not always cooperative. They say and do things that both surprise and embarrass us. The fact is that there will be a discipline problem at some point. It will be loud. It will be costly.

And I say it again. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” When I was a little guy I wasn’t sure I believed that. On my birthday, and on Christmas morning, I sure did find it to be fun to tear into a gift with my name on the tag. The anticipation of receiving gifts was even greater than the day. What a fun time!

But today I enjoy giving gifts more than getting them. To my children. To my dad. To my staff. I receive great joy in giving something that others will enjoy. I have learned that it is better to give than to receive.

And that is what we will do next week during VBS. I will have long days and short nights all week long. I will be bombarded with boys and girls singing and screaming and running around and playing.

And I will have the blessed privilege to tell them about the one who is able to save them for eternity. I will get hugs and high fives and smiles of gratitude.

And while I will be exhausted come Thursday night, once again, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.