Kids, Service and Surprises

We spent quite a bit of time at the gym during shoebox collection week. I always love seeing all the shoe boxes come in and helping to put them in cartons. I truly enjoy the challenge of fitting as many boxes as possible into each carton, but my favorite thing is merely having the opportunity to touch a box filled with simple gifts for a child who otherwise would receive nothing for Christmas.

My plan for this year was to go straight to the gym from school each afternoon (I get out at noon most days) and go home when the younger kids got home from school (about 4:30). I knew the kids wouldn't want to spend a bunch of time up there . . . the gym floor being used for cartons means no basketball! I knew I would have to threaten them to get them to behave and stay out of every one's way. I knew I would be frustrated and they would be grouchy and impatient. It just wasn't worth the hassle.

Well. Once again I was reminded that what I know isn't always accurate. (Did you read that? I came pretty darn close to admitting I was wrong! :) I was pleasantly surprised by all of my children, but Garrett and Lindsay's involvement was particularly unexpected.

Lindsay wasn't really satisfied when I let her pick out the boxes so I could fit them into the cartons. She didn't want to be someones "helper"-she wanted her own job. She wanted to work the tape gun but it had a very sharp edge so that was out. She asked about making labels (each carton has to be labeled with the number of shoe boxes inside) but her numbers aren't always clear so I told her we would find something else for her to do. When the time came to load the cartons into the trailer she was right there ready to help. I figured she would watch and realize she just wasn't big enough for the job, but that isn't what happened. Lindsay and Garrett pushed carton after carton to the back of the trailer --and these things are not light! I was so thankful that the adults (who were all lifting, carrying and stacking cartons) went out of their way to work around the kids even if it meant things moving a little slower at times.

So often we dismiss younger children as a burden when we are trying to accomplish a task (I know I did!), but my skinny little 10 year old son didn't quit until the job was done and my 6 year old daughter actually got mad when there were no more cartons left to load. Neither of them complained once about being tired. Neither of them asked to stay home the next night either.

This was such a great opportunity for the kids. They learned a lot about themselves and how they can be faithful in service to others. They learned a lot about what it means to be a good steward of the resources God has given each of us. And they learned a lot about making a difference, one box at a time. It was a great opportunity for the kids, but it was also a chance for them to teach us a thing or two. I learned a lot about the children I have been entrusted. And I learned never to underestimate what our God can do through us. All of us. He uses even the littlest of His people to accomplish His work.