It’s being run to by a seven year old, holding something small in their hands and looking up at them to see a new gap in their smile, being so proud they took their tooth out by themself. It’s sitting out on the porch, devotions and bible in hand, all alone, getting split second visits from a humming bird or two visiting the flowers a few feet nearby. It’s watching a young boy learning to tie his shoe, finally getting it on the third try. Its watching a girl purchase two chocolate treats, only to give one to her younger brother. It’s laughing and smiling with the preschoolers as they are running in and out of their new playhouse. It’s watching a girl’s face light up with joy when she hears that I will be joining their Christmas party. It’s being checked on by fellow staff members/volunteers when they know I’ve been feeling down. It’s the little things.
The holidays make it feel even harder to be distant from family and friends. Images, videos, and activities of building gingerbread houses, baking dozens of cookies, attending family/friend gatherings, having all the fun in the snow, and simply being present is both joyful and also bring some sadness. I love to see all of the happiness going on, but I know I need to be with the kids that can’t be with family. It’s kinda lonely being with 80+ kids during this season.
This year, like last year, we had a church come to visit to wrap and give out presents to the kids a few weeks before Christmas came. About half of them were excited to see me again this year, as we worked together wrapping 50+gifts each the previous year. It’s about being remembered and feeling wanted. It’s the little things.
As we were all helping with handing out gifts and getting pictures of all the kids unwrapping, I sat with and cared for the youngest group at Shalom, the babies. One boy who sat right behind me, about 2 years old and a man of few words, had his hand in my lap for most of the time he and his house were present. Occasionally, he’d wrap his arm around mine, while I was trying to get snapshots of the other kids and Santa. He reminded me that I am not far from family this Christmas, that the 80 that surrounding me are my brothers and sisters, my sons and daughters, my nieces and nephews. It’s the little things.
This past weekend, I got to visit a nearby community, play games, help out giving gifts and sharing the meaning of Christmas with them. I took out one of the long bubble wands and let a few of the preschool kids try to blow bubbles. Like you can imagine, they blew too hard, with nothing coming out but spit. They weren’t too happy. I blew into it and had several dozen bubbles headed their direction. The 5 kids that were with me were so excited and so amazed at what just happened. It was a race to see if they could pop them faster than I could blow them. By the end of the 15 minutes, I’m not sure who had stickier hands, the kids or myself. Their smiles and giggles brightened mine. It’s the little things.
Sunday, I got to visit a church a few towns over for the first time with a couple of team members. We didn’t just visit the church, but got involved. I read a story. A few of us played our instruments, while the others helped the kids learn new hand motions. One of us got the opportunity to pray over the service and we were personally recognized and welcomed. This church was held on an enclosed driveway of a family. Their church was tiny, with about 12 rows of only 4 chairs each. Almost every seat was filled, and yet the ladies who were in charge of the church said they didn’t have as many kids as usual. The service seemed to go well, with involvement from the kids, run mainly by 3 women. They kept the kids’ attention from start to finish, had great worship, and a short message, easy for the kids to understand and relate to. Yet, they wanted more. They reached out for our help, our guidance, our assistance, our prayers, our partnership. They are doing as much as they can, not only in the walls of their “church” but also in nearby villages. They still want as much help as they can get for these kids. Its using our talents, abilities, and donations to help others. It’s the little things.
What are those little things that usually get overlooked or forgotten about? What are those little things that we occasionally look over, as if they aren’t much? Take the time to notice them, especially during this time of year. Look for those blessings in disguise. They’re all around!
(har)Perseverance on a mission 