Through God's Eyes

I love how this ministry allows me to see kids differently.

There is a student at my school, who happens to live in the house, that does not have the best reputation on campus. Some have confided in me that they actually fear him.

When they say this though, I laugh...I see this kid as the one who showed me his ichthys fish pendant the first time I met him and told me it was one of the few possessions he carried with him from home. I see him as the kid who stood beside me and served food at Salvation Army.  As we filled plates with food he confided in me that he and his family had lived in a "place like this" before.  I see him as the kid who willingly says hello every time he sees me in the halls at school.

This is not a kid to fear...this is a kid who needs to be seen, and loved, and heard.  God sees all these children and He needs us to see them, too.

Bowling Blessing

On New Year's Day, we were blessed with being invited by SH to go bowling with the kids.  It was a pretty easy outing... everyone had fun, strikes were scored, and stories were shared.

However, it was at the end of the event that I spotted God in one of the boys.  Each group of bowlers were given a huge bag of popcorn to share....and as you know, when popcorn is served it usually ends up everywhere besides your mouth.  As we were waiting for the last group to finish their games, one of the boys noticed the bowling alley workers coming over to clean up.  He then looked down and saw all the popcorn.  He walked up to the worker, took the broom and dust pan out of her hand, and proceeded to clean all eight lanes we had occupied.  Another kid saw him working and came over to help.  My husband and kids also joined in the cleaning.

It was a small act, but it did not go unnoticed. God works in all ways big and small.  This boy was able to bless the worker,  and in doing so, showed his appreciation and humility.  I am thankful for him and I am thankful God gave me eyes to see him.

Ice Skating Parable

Over Christmas break we took the kids at SH ice skating.  This was a first time experience for many of the kids and it was amazing to watch.  Some went around the rink gripping the side with terror in their eyes, while others took to it naturally and sprinted around the rest of us like pros.  One boy, who was easily three times larger than Ryan, shakily went around the rink holding on to Ryan's hand with a death grip.

Seeing all the kids react to the same situation differently reminded me of the sower of seeds parable in the Bible.

Some of the kids came to the rink, knowing the ice existed and that they had full access to it, but did not have any interest in joining in the activity.

Other kids came to the rink, put on skates, and gave it a try...but when they realized it was difficult, or they fell and got hurt or wet, they easily gave up because they did not want to put in the work, or be judged by others for not being instantly good.

Other kids came to the rink, put on skates and persevered.....even though they sucked at it, even though they were soaking wet from falling so many times, even though others (who had already given up) on the sidelines were making fun of them....they kept trying.

And still others, came to the rink, put on skates and instantly took to the activity.  They were naturally blessed with a skill and embraced it.

Very few of us fall into the last category when it comes to following God...if you are one of them, thank God right now.  Many of us fall into one of the other three categories.

How we react to everyday situations says a lot about how we react to God.  He is in everything we do.  How are you responding to Him today?