I see you nursery volunteer.
I see you reassuring the first time mom that her sweet baby boy will be safe and loved on until she returns.
I see you comforting the crying baby with her favorite hold as you gently rock her back and forth.
I see you changing yet another diaper.
I see you with the battle markings of spit up dripping down your back.
I see you carefully placing everything back into the diaper bag just like it was before.
I’ve heard from many nursery workers who view their volunteer role as nothing more than childcare on a Sunday morning. Nothing could be further from the truth.
We need SGLs who will pay attention to the smallest details of care a baby needs during their stay. We need SGLs who can put first-time parents at ease. We need SGLs that can remember what hold works best for what infant when they become fussy. We need SGLs who care just as much about connecting with the parents as they do the little ones they receive.
SGLs that say, “Love is in the details.” And nursery small group leaders are the ones that live this statement out.
Sometimes, meeting the needs of the smallest of human beings can have the most impact on a family.
When you love someone’s child, the parents feel loved. When you embrace the physical needs of a baby, the parent feels secure.
Your volunteer title may communicate that you work with babies, but the unseen details of all your role entails can make or break a family’s decision to stay with a church family.
So I see you, nursery volunteer, in the midst of the diapers, the bottles, the pacifiers, the lovies.
And I am so thankful for you.
“Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” Mark 9:37
By Kelly Stockdale
Thank you! This is beautiful. So many times our baby and toddlers leaders do not get the recognition they so deserve.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.
I got sent this just today from the preschool director for Birth-5 year olds at my church and this really made my day looking at this post! I am someone who works in the nursery every Sunday!
I hope to be able to fill big shoes. If only for a small time. I love little ones They are different but the same
I’m looking forward to getting to know the newest members of Grace Bible Church Norfolk
As a “nursey worker” for over 37 years and a Minister to Preshoolers for 13 years
..been preaching this for decades! Well said.
thank you for the words from a nursery mom’s perspective! I’ve worked the nursery at our church for almost 30 years! It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done…I love when new moms feel comfortable to bring in their babies to us. It means a lot to feel that level of comfort with ‘strangers’ the first time but means so much when they do! The best ways to get them there, is to keep the ‘open’ door policy so they don’t feel like they can’t check on their little one & realize that all moms have ‘their own way’ & respect that in each. I love when they have another child & how relaxed they are because we’ve done a good job with their first! And when the yearly high school graduates are presented & I’ve held them as a baby, it makes Jesus’ words come to my mind…’let the little children come to me…’ Maybe we do a part in each baby’s life as we rock, change, feed, sing & pray for them at the beginning!