God gives me the children's ministry heart and patience. This is

The actor and minister Willie Aames, who walked from the glitter of Hollywood into the service of faith, once declared with conviction: “God gives me the children’s ministry heart and patience. This is what He wants. It’s awesome. I don’t know where He’s gonna take it – but God is building this thing.” In these words lies not only the testimony of a man transformed, but also the eternal truth that the works of the spirit are guided not by human ambition, but by the will of God. To labor in children’s ministry is to shape souls at their most tender age, requiring not fame, but heart; not pride, but patience; not self, but surrender.

In his saying, Aames reveals the sacred calling of service. He confesses that his heart for children is not of his own crafting, but a gift from God Himself. This aligns with the teaching of the ancients, who believed that the greatest ministries are not chosen by men, but bestowed by Heaven. To care for children, to teach them, to guide their steps, is a task of holy weight, for children carry within them the seeds of tomorrow. Patience is the soil in which those seeds grow, and without it, the ministry fails.

The story of Jesus Christ blessing the children comes to mind. When His disciples would have sent the little ones away, He rebuked them, saying, “Let the children come to me.” In that moment, He revealed that the kingdom of God is not reserved for the mighty or the learned, but is reflected in the innocence and openness of a child. To serve in children’s ministry is thus to stand in the footsteps of Christ Himself, to honor the young as vessels of divine promise. Aames’s words echo this truth, reminding us that such work is not small, but monumental.

And yet, Aames humbly confesses his uncertainty: “I don’t know where He’s gonna take it.” This is the path of all who walk by faith. For when the builder is God, the blueprint is hidden from human eyes. We see only one brick at a time, one child’s heart touched, one lesson planted. But beyond our sight, God is weaving these acts into something larger, eternal, and unshakable. The wise accept that they need not know the whole plan, only that they are called to labor faithfully in their part.

History gives us the story of Robert Raikes, the Englishman who in the 18th century began what became the Sunday School movement. At first, it seemed a small thing — teaching poor children to read, so they might read the Scriptures. Yet through years of patience, his work spread like wildfire, transforming education and the church’s outreach across nations. What began as one man’s burden became a movement that touched millions. So too with Aames’s words: what seems small in the beginning may become mighty, for God is building this thing.

The lesson here is twofold: first, that when God plants a heart for service within you, cherish it as a treasure. Do not doubt its worth simply because it seems small. Second, that you must walk with patience, for the fruit of ministry grows slowly, and its full harvest may only be seen by generations yet to come. Trust not in your own vision, but in God’s. Where He leads may be beyond what you can imagine, but His purpose is always greater than your own.

Therefore, O seekers of the eternal way, remember this: heart, patience, and faith are the foundation stones of holy service. Whether you are called to guide children, to teach, to heal, or to lead, know that the work is not yours alone. God is building this thing. You are but the hands and the vessel. Surrender with humility, labor with patience, and trust with joy — for when the Builder is divine, the structure will stand for eternity.