Learning Curve

Yesterday evening I helped out at our church midweek children's club for the first time. A few helpers couldn't make it, so I was drafted in as last minute reinforcements.
Having done Sunday School, summer kids club etc, I thought "OK, no problem." - boy was I wrong!
Although there were only 17 children there, they were really lively & we definately needed 7-8 leaders to keep the programme running smoothly. They got involved enthusuatically in the games, joke-telling & activities, but it was a bit harder to keep their attention in group-time & speaking from the front.
Why was it so difficult? The majority of them were not "church children"! I forgot they're not so used to sitting & listening to an adult. A few were definately anti- paying attention & pro- making a mockery of what I was trying to say.
At the end I was a bit dispirited, but the regular leaders felt there had been a real breakthrough in getting to know the children better & them engaging with what we were trying to teach & model. Wow - if this is a breakthrough, I'm glad I wasn't there on week one!!
So what's the punch-line? I take my hat off to the team who put themselves through that every week because they love all these children & want them to experience the love of Christ. Through the chaos, these are children with wit, imagination & massive creativity - that could grow on you. Next time, I might not be so complacent!