There's this kid named Kevin that comes to my tennis class on Monday's. He's one of those kids that likes to act all tough and cool-- pays no attention to authority, always does whatever the heck he wants. Lo and behold, this little punk ended up crumpled against the wall and sobbing like a baby yesterday. Why? Because the other kid "cheated" and said he (Kevin) only got one point when he supposedly got three.
At first I was tempted to be angry at him, for making it look like I couldn't get the kids involved and having fun while my boss was there. But something my boss said to Kevin really struck me. He reasoned, "Maybe the other kid didn't mean to cheat-- maybe he just didn't know what he was doing." It was such a poignant reminder of those all-too-oft forgotten words on the cross: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing."
In our Christian lives, reminders of old lessons can be just as helpful as brand new lessons. This refresher couldn't have come at a better time for me. As I prepare for Thailand, I can't think of many other reminders that could use some retracing on my heart. We don't know exactly what we're doing yet, but I'm hoping we do get to minister to the slum children. It's going to be a challenge. Some of them might be like Kevin, always wanting to act tough and independent. But under that rough facade, there is a broken and vulnerable heart that is aching for love. Each and every one is just a lost sheep that Jesus wants to carry home.
when he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd...
-Matthew 9:36
No comments:
Post a Comment