Thankfulness

    This past Thursday, our kids (about 23) and 11 adults had the privilege to go to a Greenville Drive baseball game. 20 of the tickets were donated to us, and the others we bought at the gate. The kids were all picked up by volunteers and interns, taken to the ball field, and unloaded at the front gates. At no cost to the kids or to their parents, this outing was something special for them to experience. However, actions certainly speak louder than words. Additionally, actions and words speak louder than excuses. I love these kids. But, sometimes we must be careful in how we handle their behavior. We want to take them on trips and places that they will never get to go to or to experience otherwise. Also, our desire is for them to learn from all things and activities. So, when we heard kids complaining about the free food they got or how much they disliked baseball or my favorite one, "Howcome you didn't take us to a basketball game, Mr. Josh?" something had to be done.

    This complaining isn't the first time we've heard it from them, and it quite possibly won't be the last time either. And now, maybe you're beginning to wonder with me and the other volunteers as well, "Why are they so unthankful?" Good question. And I'm not so sure that I've got a good answer to go with such a great question. I mean, if I was in their situation, I would assume that a free ride to a free baseball game to get free food would be awesome. And maybe to them it was awesome in their minds. But, sadly their responses in majority were strangely ungrateful. However, we aren't there for them all to thank us, we're there to be the hands and feet of Jesus. But, if they don't learn to be thankful for these little things towards us, how are they going to learn to be thankful towards God for his love demonstrated to us in Christ Jesus?

    So, to be straightforward, this unthankfulness may be just something that has been unfortunately learned due to lack of positive influence in their life. I remember my mom and dad constantly reminding me and forcing me to write thank you notes every Christmas and birthday. I was trained to thank someone for feeding me or serving me. I was brought up with a mindset to be thankful, and even more, to express thanks to the kind person. But, when this sort of training or influence isn't present in one's life, the outcome may possibly be similar to these kids--complaint and entitlement. It's maybe a poor analogy, but have you ever fed you pet table scraps or given them a treat? Well, what happens next time you eat some food? Of course, the pet is sitting there whining and begging for more. Now, maybe if the pet were able to communicate verbally they would kindly ask for more. But, for the sake of the analogy, a lot of these kids are not too far off from the model. Once given something (free typically), it's almost like they expect more and more from you every time. Instead of thanks, there's usually a complaint as to why one kid got something different or better than the other kid. In thought, I do understand that all kids typically whine and complain, but to some degree, a properly trained person should demonstrate some sort of gratitude, or at least they should withdraw their complaints.

    Beginning today, since this thought has been on the minds of the interns, the directors, and the volunteers, we've brainstormed and prayed, and we've concluded to begin teaching them about thankfulness this week. Using skit examples, Bible lessons, personal testimonies, and daily camp experiences, we're truly striving to train these adolescents to become those who have thankful hearts not just to other people, but to God. Not really sure yet the best way to do all of this. It's sort of trial and error, test and reflect. But, certainly they're learning more than they already know. 

    Ending with a personal side note, this whole teaching kids things, for me, is just a real lesson that I'm learning everyday with them. Sometimes, when these kids seemingly don't understand the Bible lessons or at least don't display a behavioral understanding of the principles taught in them, I hear God tell me, "You're just like them." And it's so true. Everyday God is there whispering his good instructions and loving truths to me. Yet, so many times I fail even to listen (just like the kids). Other times I don't obey (like the kids). Or other moments I follow God and obey Him only to appease Him in a sense, just enough for Him to think I'm doing things alright. But, in the same way God wants me and all us to be sold out for Him and to give Him all of our hearts, we're wanting these kids to obey us in truth, out of love and understanding. So, ultimately, I've kinda been learning some humility. Just when an ounce of pride arises in my mind, I'm always hit with, "Your sinfulness is just like those kids who frustrate you and disobey you all day long, and if anything, your sin exceeds theirs because you know me yet often you choose the world instead of my love." Is God being harsh? Nope. Just truthful and loving. One thing God cannot do--lie. He always tells you like it is.

    Finally, I close with some prayer requests. We have a new intern who just started today and she's doing great. Just prayers for her and all of us to be Spirit-filled leaders. For safety tomorrow on our trip to Paris Mountain State Park. For the kids--pray without ceasing. They need to know Jesus' love for them in a desperate way. Everywhere you look around their neighborhood you see extrapolations of what their lives can and might look like in 10 years or even less than that. It's not a pretty picture most of the times, but there are a few shining lights in such a worldly environment. Hoping for fruit.