Oh, the Irony...

The blaring sound of my alarm clock started at 8:15 am. It’s a good thing my roommates’ bedrooms are on the other side of the apartment; I assume they’d be annoyed. I didn’t actually get out of bed until 9:15, which got me in a panic because I was supposed to be at work by 9:45. I took a quick shower, threw on the most conservative clothes I could find that didn’t need to be ironed. I was a few minutes late, but no one noticed.

Once I got to work, I pondered what each of the Ten Commandments was. I know I’ve broken a few, but I couldn’t recall all ten of them. My thoughts jumped around some more. I know I got paid today and that I worked extra hours. How much would this check be? Would it be a significant amount to put into my “Vegas Fund”? I took this job so I could put every cent into a savings account to visit one of my good friends that moved to Las Vegas a year and a half ago. I’m hoping to be able to save enough by April, which will be my birthday present to myself.

Okay, now my thoughts jumped back to the kids in the room. They were putting on a puppet show for me and the Sunday school teacher about the story of Adam and Eve. They had a puppet for God, Adam, Eve, and the tempting Serpent. Once Sunday school was over, the Sunday school volunteer teacher had to go downstairs to work on the church lunch. We were down a volunteer today, so I had to teach Children’s Church without a volunteer this time. The volunteers are the ones to usually teach the lesson that my boss leaves for them and I’m there to manage the children. My boss forgot to give me a lesson today. Last year, I worked as a teacher at an after school program, so I was used to developing lessons on the spot. This was harder though because I couldn’t just wing it. I had to have my facts straight. I thought it would be easiest to teach about the Ten Commandments, hoping the children would help me out.

Once I started the lesson, I realized the group that I had, ranging in ages 3 to 7, did not know every commandment either! I hesitantly started the lesson, which was difficult especially since our normal classroom was occupied. I had to try to keep the attention of this group of kids in the toddler playroom. This room was filled with tons of toys: play kitchens, cars, Legos, play-dough, baby dolls, and even a full sized jungle gym with slides and tunnels! I quickly gave up and ended up playing with play-dough for an hour until their parents came. My biggest concern soon became begging the kids not to mix the colors together.

In all of this, I realized that I probably am breaking a few commandments by even taking this job. I mean, I like working at the church. I learn a lot and I think it has helped me keep my morals in check. It has also helped me in school. While others go out on Saturday nights, I tend to stay in more and get caught up on schoolwork. I would hate to wake up late after a night at the bar and go into the church reeking of booze and cigarettes. I sometimes feel guilty that I don’t remember much of my church upbringing from my childhood days. I also feel guilty that I am saving the money I receive from the church to go on a trip to Las Vegas.

Then, I say to myself that I would use the money from my other job for Vegas anyway. It just makes me feel a little awkward when I remind my friends that I have to go teach kids in a church on Sundays and they respond in laughter. Oh well, hopefully I will be more prepared the next time I teach a lesson at church.