Their Need to See Need

I have to add an addendum to my earlier entry. In addition to seeing more need myself, I am also acutely aware of my children's needs to see need as well.

One of the great passions of my heart is to de-Americanize my kids. By that I mean no disrespect to this great country. What I mean is that I want to avoid the spoil effect: the too big, too much mentality that is so pervasive. I am convinced that simply flowing along will produce that give-me mentality, and that in order to stop it, I have to engage.

In that effort, I try to give my kids opportunities to see the world outside of themselves. I want to give them chances to observe the world around them and know that there is more than our tiny little experience. I want to fan the flame of compassion in their hearts. It is just critical to my sense of what is right and just.

I took them to Carolina Children's Home to wrap presents yesterday. It was incredible to see them slowly warm to the thought that they could make a difference. That's something else I want them to hear in the midst of a burden to act: a privilege to act. And that they do not have to wait until they are grown to do big things for God. They have important work to do right now, in their world, in their capacity as children. They are mighty warriors, and I want them to know it.

So we went and wrapped. 30 gifts in about 90 minutes, and this by sweet girls who had to be taught to wrap at all! They did great, and they felt great. And I was delighted to share the holy with my children.

A few weeks ago, we went to the processing center in Charlotte for Operation Christmas Child for Family Day. The kids got to see what happens with the boxes, how they get around the world, and a better understanding of need. One of the boys answered the "Why do we send boxes?" question perfectly: "Because they're poor." He is 5 and he knows. I am delighted. And again, I got the joy of serving with them.

I follow their lead when we take our monthly turn at Epworth Children's Home. We go again in just a few days, and I always enjoy watching them just be themselves. They are kids, acting like kids, treating the kids at Epworth like the normal kids they are and long to be seen as. They are true servants of Christ in that place, and I am delighted again. Amazed and learning, I stand in awe of what a child will do when given the opportunity.

Back to the shoe boxes, the kids of our church were able to bless the 231 boxes we collected by praying over the boxes and then being responsible to commission those boxes in a long fireman's carry down the length of our children's ministry building. Every child touched every box, and from the older ones who could have been tempted to think themselves too cool for such a project, to the young ones who struggled to hold some of the big or heavy boxes, they all worked with joy. There was laughing and shouting and great pleasure in being given the chance to serve.

And I think that's the key. Kids are natural servers. They want to please. They want to feel important. They just need to be given the chance. They just need to be seen for the treasure they are and the gifts they alone can bring, and they need to be given the opportunity to serve.

I love what Wess Stafford says in his book Too Small to Ignore. He says, and then proves Biblically, that when God wants something really important done, He makes sure that a child is given the task. Miriam watching Moses drift on the Nile and then securing him a safe home and her mother a place to help raise him. The boy with the fish and loaves, who gave freely when an adult surely would have judged the others' lack of planning provision. Samuel being called in the night, who kept getting up even as old Eli kept telling him to go to sleep already. And then, right now, aren't we so aware of Mary. She was entrusted with our Savior. When God wants something done, He often finds a child to do it.

So I encourage us all to just keep looking, to keep our eyes open and our ears to the ground. We just need to see the places where our kids can serve. An elderly neighbor who needs her dog walked. A child alone on the playground in need of a friend. The church grounds in need of care. A food pantry, gift drive, whatever. I just encourage us all to find those places, and then sit back and enjoy the fruit. It changes a person to see outside of himself. It'll change them, and it'll change us, too. Glory to God! Isn't that what it's all about?