Wednesday, August 12, 2009

A Lesson Learned

As some of you may know, last weekend was the THSC conference in The Woodlands, Texas. My brother, sister, and I helped out with the children’s program.

To say that it was tiring being a team leader is an understatement. One of the staff described it this way: “If dog runs in front of the bus, he gets tired. If he runs behind the bus, he gets exhausted.” Toward the end of the second day, I had about lost it. I didn’t want anyone else to touch me, speak to me, or look at me. I was thinking to myself, “Why did I sign up for this again???”

Then God showed me how selfish my attitude was- and the reason why I was there.

It was during the midst of one of the last large groups. We were sitting, waiting for the next thing to happen on stage, and I noticed a girl interpreting what people were saying to another girl by sign language. When I caught the deaf girl’s eye, I signed a greeting.

Then she smiled. A big, happy, beautiful smile.

She replied, and I tried to talk further with her, but her speed in signing left my limited understanding of sign language in the dust. I couldn’t understand all of what she was saying, but could definitely understand the look on her face. One of the things she said that I was able to catch was “I’m very happy you’re talking to me!”

This sweet, precious girl showed me-just through these words and her smile- the reason why I was there. I was there to serve, to pour into the children around me and show them Christ’s love.

My prayer now more than ever is for God to make me a servant, following in Christ’s example. Never underestimate what the power of a greeting, a smile, or a seemingly useless act. One smile made all the work of the weekend worthwhile.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant…. ~ Philippians 2:5-7a

8 comments:

Zac said...

WOW!!!! That's awesome Leah, that you were able to use something you learned to make a little girl smile! I would bet that made that little girl so HAPPY, to actually talk with one of the teachers. I bet it made her day!

Moriah said...

I agree with Zac, I'm sure it made both of y'alls days worthwhile! It is amazing how God will change our heart with one small thing. I was thinking the same thing you were, then one of our kids told us that he didn't know if he would go to heaven after death or not. My team leader talked with him and he desided to go to Wisdom Walk and he finally excepted Jesus into his heart! That's why we are there! **sighs** I'm so... signing up next year! :)

Allison said...

What a neat story! It certainly is worth investing in the lives of the people God has placed around us.

Becoming a humble servant is a very difficult thing to do, but I'm thankful for the circumstances that God uses to develop character in my life!

Michelle said...

Wow, what a neat, neat story, Leah! That's awesome! I know the Lord is going to bless each of y'all for your hard work and servants heart to these little children. Keep serving Him! <3

Love,
~Michelle

Vanessa said...

That's a great illustration Leah! It is amazing how little children are overjoyed when we take time to listen and pay close attention to them. You will be blessed for your work and kindness! You invested your time and were blessed in return.

Vanessa

Marianna said...

Mmm... how neat. <3

I've had plenty of those conscience pricking moments myself... and you know what else those moments do? Those moments really serve to remind me to be grateful to all the people who have/are investing in *my* life. Next time you are at a retreat type event, I'm sure you will be able to better appreciate all the energy and effort that is put into it, because you will understand and know what it takes behind the scenes. I know I appreciate all the adults that have served me much better now that I am older and seek to re-invest that seed into other's lives. :)

Love ya!

Moriah said...

I awarded you!

Adam said...

Me and Marci went friday an saturday sorry we did'nt see yall there.

A Lesson Learned

As some of you may know, last weekend was the THSC conference in The Woodlands, Texas. My brother, sister, and I helped out with the children’s program.

To say that it was tiring being a team leader is an understatement. One of the staff described it this way: “If dog runs in front of the bus, he gets tired. If he runs behind the bus, he gets exhausted.” Toward the end of the second day, I had about lost it. I didn’t want anyone else to touch me, speak to me, or look at me. I was thinking to myself, “Why did I sign up for this again???”

Then God showed me how selfish my attitude was- and the reason why I was there.

It was during the midst of one of the last large groups. We were sitting, waiting for the next thing to happen on stage, and I noticed a girl interpreting what people were saying to another girl by sign language. When I caught the deaf girl’s eye, I signed a greeting.

Then she smiled. A big, happy, beautiful smile.

She replied, and I tried to talk further with her, but her speed in signing left my limited understanding of sign language in the dust. I couldn’t understand all of what she was saying, but could definitely understand the look on her face. One of the things she said that I was able to catch was “I’m very happy you’re talking to me!”

This sweet, precious girl showed me-just through these words and her smile- the reason why I was there. I was there to serve, to pour into the children around me and show them Christ’s love.

My prayer now more than ever is for God to make me a servant, following in Christ’s example. Never underestimate what the power of a greeting, a smile, or a seemingly useless act. One smile made all the work of the weekend worthwhile.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant…. ~ Philippians 2:5-7a

8 comments:

  1. WOW!!!! That's awesome Leah, that you were able to use something you learned to make a little girl smile! I would bet that made that little girl so HAPPY, to actually talk with one of the teachers. I bet it made her day!

     
  2. I agree with Zac, I'm sure it made both of y'alls days worthwhile! It is amazing how God will change our heart with one small thing. I was thinking the same thing you were, then one of our kids told us that he didn't know if he would go to heaven after death or not. My team leader talked with him and he desided to go to Wisdom Walk and he finally excepted Jesus into his heart! That's why we are there! **sighs** I'm so... signing up next year! :)

     
  3. What a neat story! It certainly is worth investing in the lives of the people God has placed around us.

    Becoming a humble servant is a very difficult thing to do, but I'm thankful for the circumstances that God uses to develop character in my life!

     
  4. Wow, what a neat, neat story, Leah! That's awesome! I know the Lord is going to bless each of y'all for your hard work and servants heart to these little children. Keep serving Him! <3

    Love,
    ~Michelle

     
  5. That's a great illustration Leah! It is amazing how little children are overjoyed when we take time to listen and pay close attention to them. You will be blessed for your work and kindness! You invested your time and were blessed in return.

    Vanessa

     
  6. Mmm... how neat. <3

    I've had plenty of those conscience pricking moments myself... and you know what else those moments do? Those moments really serve to remind me to be grateful to all the people who have/are investing in *my* life. Next time you are at a retreat type event, I'm sure you will be able to better appreciate all the energy and effort that is put into it, because you will understand and know what it takes behind the scenes. I know I appreciate all the adults that have served me much better now that I am older and seek to re-invest that seed into other's lives. :)

    Love ya!

     
  7. I awarded you!

     
  8. Me and Marci went friday an saturday sorry we did'nt see yall there.

     
 

Designed by Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates