"It's like we're eating with God."

It was a typical Wednesday evening at The Rainbow Club, except today we had decided to share a meal.  As we were eating, a first grade boy spoke up.  "It's like we're eating with God," he proclaimed.

So named because of the mural painted on the wall, the Rainbow Club meets Wednesday evenings. The five children, ages 4 through 9, are there because their parents are involved in Bible Study or music rehearsal.  We meet in a previously unused room,  the rainbow mural a reminder of an earlier time when this church boasted a larger membership and many Sunday School classes.  We have reclaimed the room, finding assorted furniture and supplies around the building and slowly adding our own touches to make the room our own.  Each week we explore one of the stories covered by the Disciple class meeting across the hall.  Our exploration, however, is much more active than the video and discussions taking place in their parents' class.  There is also time for homework, free play and snack.  But these children are learning scripture and experiencing the word of God.  It would be easy to think it not worth planning lessons for such a small group of such diverse ages.  I hear that attitude a lot.  But Noble's astute statement proves otherwise.  Perhaps it was the discussion of our new worship corner that provoked his proclamation.  Or maybe it was the little bit of chocolate on the worship table as a symbol of a tithe from our larger chocolate bar.  Regardless, it was obvious that he had a sense of the presence of God in this place.  Rather than simply playing with toys in a nursery while parents learn, this small group of children are learning scripture and developing lasting relationships with each other, their teachers, and the Lord.  What more can we ask?