Kickin’ It With the Kids in the City

This week begins a crazy week for me. We’re preparing to launch the new Grace web site and I start classes on Wednesday morning. Fortunately I don’t have college group or small group anymore, which frees up my schedule, but I’m still beginning to feel overwhelmed.

Even in the midst of all this stuff going on, I am looking forward to helping out with girls club at Shepherd Community. I started volunteering this past winter with my friends as a way to serve God together, or better said, to serve with God together alongside my friends.

I could lie and tell you that it’s easy… and that I see the face of God in those children whenever I serve. But the truth is, sometimes it’s hard to picture Jesus when you’ve got a seven-year-old dressed up in a princess gown jumping at you screaming, "Save me Jesus! Save me Jesus!"

But it’s in my quiet time with God that I am reminded why we do what we do:

"Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." – Luke 18:15-17

I cannot tell you the many times we leave tired and exhausted. There are even times when we can’t get the girls to stop talking so we can do a lesson, apparently this is something women develop early in life. Ha ha!

But there is no greater reward than to sit in the cafeteria as the buses start to drop them off. The joy I get when I see some of my favorite kiddos get off the bus is indescribable. To have them jump in my arms and tell me about their day, or to sit on my lap while we do our lesson.. it’s priceless.

I remember one day when one of the girls ran into the cafeteria and jumped into Chad’s arms, excited to see him. She was holding her new Bible and was so excited to show it to Faith. Unfortunately, Faith wasn’t there that week, but I had my little camera and we sent her a video message. Every week this girl was so eager to get out her Bible and start reading, she’d get so excited about it! Honestly I don’t know how much of this "Bible knowledge" she’ll retain, in fact, I’m just stoked that her and the rest of the girls are developing their reading skills.

What’s most important to me is that these kids know that they’re loved by God. When I was their age, the most exposure I got to Jesus was through Vacation Bible School and occasionally going to Sunday school with my Grandma Hicks. I remember singing songs, though I can’t remember what they were. I remember playing with flannel graphs, though I don’t really recall the lesson. I also remember having some pretty sweet snacks during VBS, but once again, the only thing that really sticks out is Hi-C Orange Drink.

What I remember most though, through all those experiences, is how much the volunteers cared about me and made it such a wonderful experience. As these girls grow up, I don’t know if they’ll remember what we taught them or if they’ll remember our names. But hopefully what they will remember is that those people at Shepherd loved Jesus so much and loved them so much. And perhaps that may give them cause to learn for themselves who this Jesus guy really is.

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If you’re interested in getting involved at Shepherd Community, the best way is to just give them a holler by filling out the contact form on their web site. Programs are starting to kick off for the year, so now is a great time to get plugged in. And just a free "advertisement" for our Outreach ministry at Grace, feel free to see them after weekend services and see if there’s a place you can serve with Jesus.

Serving, like anything else, takes discipline to tell yourself you’re going to do it. And while it takes a little bit of your time, you may find that you get a lot out of it, like I have.