Saying Yes to God

I have been a pastor’s wife most of my adult life and I have always loved working with children. All ages, especially 3 years old to 4^th thru 6^th grade. Including all levels of orneriness. I love little people. They inspire me. Recently my church had a need for a senior adult women’s Sunday School teacher. I filled in a few times for them and was then asked to teach full time. My first response was, “But God, I don’t do old women.” I was not sure I even liked old women.

God, in His infinite wisdom, had other plans for me. I began to teach and began to fall in love. It was very hard at first. They weren’t sure about me and my style of teaching and I certainly wasn’t sure about them. It wasn’t long before we got into a rhythm. The women I teach are from late 60’s to 93, and I am having a ball. They are a delight and are responsive to my many questions and challenges. We are growing in number, because they are inviting their friends. If someone visits our church, and is in their age category, they are asking them to sit with them and go out to lunch after church. The visitor is always invited to attend Bible study.

The teacher that I was subbing for was a very lovely women who was adored by all and deeply missed. Due to her son’s health issues she was unable to continue teaching. One Sunday morning, I walked into the classroom and one of the women said, “Oh it’s you again. Where’s our other teacher?” That Sunday I wanted to quit teaching and run the opposite direction. I began to learn ways of responding to negative comments and turn them into positives. It is so nice to hear positive things coming from those who were so grumpy.

Recently, the women rose to a challenge of raising money for our nursery upgrade. On their fixed incomes, in just two weeks, they raised enough money to purchase a dressing table, crib and mattress. They have been extremely generous in purchasing item for The Baptist Children’s Home. They bless me every time I see them bringing their sacks of donations. I remind them every Sunday how very important they are to the body of Christ. I assure them that no one will ask them to chaperon the youth group lock-in, or be on the floor with the infants, but God still has a role for them in the church. They laugh and are thankful. I ask them what they can do, and they always have good ideas. Every Sunday we dive into the Scripture and share life together. Our fellowship is sweet and caring. I pray for them and they pray for me.

I have truly fallen head over heels in love with them. They are so important to our church and to me. I am amazed and I continue to learn so much from them. One thing I can say for certain, saying yes to God is not always easy, but it’s a whole lot of fun!

My name is Dorinda Trovillion. My husband is one of the associate pastors of Bethel Baptist Church in Bourbonnais. I love to quilt, sew and now teach older women.