Samantha hung up the phone and buried her head in her hands. That was the third phone call this afternoon. How could she have upset so many people from teaching one simple Sunday School class?

            David approached and rubbed her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

            Samantha sat up and turned toward him. “I’m sorry. It seems I messed everything up this morning.”

            David raised his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

            “I’ve had three phone calls from people who were ‘concerned’ how Margaret would react to me changing everything she’s built over the years.”

            David bit back a grin. “Oh, is that right?”

            Samantha swatted him. “It’s not funny.”

            “What exactly did you do?”

            “I started off with fun worship songs. I played some upbeat music and we did motions together. Next, I had the kids act out the lesson. And at the end, I did an object lesson with a science experiment to help the kids remember the main point of the story.”

            David’s grin spread. “Simply scandalous. What were you thinking?”

            Samantha frowned. “David, you don’t understand. As your wife, I reflect on you.”

            “Honey, I realize being a pastor’s wife puts you in the spotlight. But everything you did sounds great for the kids.”

            “But Margaret…”

            “Is laid up and won’t be back for six weeks. You teach the kids the way you think is best. Pray about it. If God leads you to do things differently, then there’s your answer.”

            Kaylee bounded into the room. “Mommy, will you be my Sunday school teacher again next week?”

            Samantha caught David’s eye, and he nodded. She sighed. “I think so, why?”

            Kaylee wrapped her arms around Samantha’s waist. “Because it was the best Sunday School ever. I’m going to invite Brianna to come next week.” She skipped out of the room.

            David squeezed Samantha’s shoulder. “Out of the mouth of babes.”

            The following Sunday, there were two new children in the class. Kaylee’s friend Brianna and her family had indeed joined them for church, and another child brought a friend as well. Samantha’s heart was full as she and the children danced to the worship music. At the end of the class, nearly half of the children gave her a hug.

            “I hope you can be our teacher forever,” a freckle-faced boy said, as he exited the classroom.

            Samantha beamed. She was reaching these children. And everything she’d heard from the Lord told her this was the right thing to do. When they got home from church, she left her phone in do not disturb mode and put it in a drawer.

            David slanted a gaze at her. “Not interested in hearing from anyone today?”

            “Honestly, no. Things went so well with the children. I just want to soak in that feeling for a little while.”

             “That’s fair. How would you and Kaylee like to have a picnic this afternoon?”

             After a wonderful time with family, Samantha checked her phone. She had text messages from two of the mothers of her Sunday School kids. Fingers trembling, she read through them. Her heart lightened. Both the moms told her their kids had a great time and both wanted to bring a friend. Riding on a high, Samantha checked her missed calls. Uh oh. Margaret.

             Margaret was one of the wealthiest members of the church, and since David had arrived in the pulpit, Margaret expressed more than her fair share of opinions on how things were meant to be done. Most of the leadership board encouraged David to appease Margaret because, quite frankly, they depended on her financial contributions to keep the church afloat.

            Samantha’s stomach twisted. She couldn’t bear to deal with the confrontation with Margaret, no matter how much she thought the Sunday school program needed to be updated. God had given her a peace about what she was doing. She drew in a breath and played the message.

            “I’m very disappointed to hear you’re taking advantage of my illness to subvert all I’ve done to build up the children’s program at the church. It’s very upsetting, and I need my strength right now. I hope to hear next week you’ve returned to a more spiritually suitable program. If you’d like some advice on how we do things at the church, I’m happy to share the wisdom I’ve gained over the years.”

            Samantha resisted the urge to throw her phone. She took a calming breath and sensed God’s leading.

            Follow me, my child, and pray for her.

            For the entire week, Samantha prayed for Margaret and for direction. God’s voice spoke peace into her heart. Instead of resentment toward Margaret, she prayed for healing, both for her body and her attitude. And by the time Sunday rolled around, her spirit was calm.

             David squeezed her hand as they entered the church. “Are you ready for this?”

             Samantha chuckled. “Says the man who has to preach to the entire congregation. Are you ready for that?”

              David’s smile was broad. “I was born ready. You know I only preach what God puts into my heart. As long as you do the same with the children, you have my full support. And God’s.”

              Kaylee tugged on Samantha’s skirt. “Can we do the bouncing song again this week?”

              Samantha wrapped her arm around Kaylee’s shoulders. “Sure thing.”

              After yet another successful week with the children, Margaret weighed heavy on Samantha’s mind. She turned to David. “Did you say Margaret was home from the hospital?”

              “Yes, she came home Friday night. Why?”

             “I feel God telling me to go see her.”
              David’s eyes lit up. “You are a wonderful woman. I can’t wait to hear how it goes.”

             Thirty minutes later, armed with a container of homemade chicken soup, Samantha rang Margaret’s doorbell.

            After a few minutes, the door opened, and a much less intimidating version of Margaret appeared. She was still dressed in her usual formal clothing, but her face was weary.

            “Good afternoon, Margaret. I wanted to see how you were feeling, and I brought you some chicken soup.”

            Margaret stepped back from the door. “That was kind of you. You may come in. But don’t think a little soup is going to make me forget that you’re trying to steal the Sunday School program from me.”

            Samantha sent up a silent prayer. “Could we talk about that for a few minutes?”

            Margaret shrugged. “I suppose so. Put the soup on the counter and come sit.”

            Samantha did as Margaret instructed. “I’m not trying to steal the Sunday School program from you. I was trying to help while you were in the hospital.”

            “But you changed everything.”

            “I’m singing songs with the children that they love, and I’ve been using different ways of presenting the lesson that I’ve found to work very well in my past classrooms. We’ve had several new students join in the last two weeks.”

            Margaret’s stern gaze softened. “Really?”

            “Yes. We had fourteen children in class this morning.” Samantha took a deep breath. “I’ve noticed you have certain ways you like to do things. Can you tell me why you don’t want to change anything about the way we teach Sunday School?”

            Margaret’s eyes filled with tears. “Richard and I used to teach Sunday School together. So many other things have changed since he’s been gone. I just wanted to hold on to that one thing.”

            Compassion flooded Samantha. “Oh, Margaret, I’m so sorry. It must be so hard for you, especially now that you’ve been ill. Did Richard love children?”

            “He did. We never had any, so he loved the kids at church like they were his own. I’m trying to continue his legacy, but the kids always liked him more than me. I guess God took the wrong one of us away.”

            Samantha rose, handed Margaret a tissue, and wrapped her in a hug. “God knows what He’s doing. He gave you and Richard different gifts. Do you enjoy teaching Sunday School?”
            Margaret dabbed at her eyes. “I’ve tried. I really have. But I much prefer adults. I’m far more comfortable sitting and discussing the Bible than doing crafts and games and silly songs.”

            Samantha returned to her seat. “Then why not start a ladies’ Bible study? Our church could use one. I’d love to join.”

            Margaret’s eyes lit. “Really? Do you think I could?”

            “Pray about it. And if that’s what God is leading you to do, then do it. You don’t have to teach Sunday School just because Richard did. I’m happy to do it, if that’s what you decide.”

            Margaret’s entire posture relaxed. “Samantha, you and David are just what our little church needed. Thank you for coming to visit. I’m going to pray about what you said. I think God and Richard might have some new plans for me.”

Galatians 1:10

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

God, please help us remember it is not our job to please other people. Of course, we should love others and show them kindness, but we need to obey You, not people. When You speak to our hearts, help us obey You rather than worry about what others may say. When we have a conflict with other people, help us to really listen to them, to hear their perspectives. When we do, we are often surprised. Thank you for loving us and giving us all different gifts, abilities, and perspectives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.