I always looked forward to lunch every Thursday every week last semester. Why? Because of a little girl named Joy.
At the beginning of 2014 I began a new journey with Kids Hope USA at Adams Elementary. In high school I would have never thought about mentoring a child because of my low self-esteem and not knowing my identity in Christ. That was also before working with kids became my passion. I signed up to mentor a child because I wanted to love on a child and make a difference in my community. Who knew that those 5 months last semester would be the hardest semester of my college career, and yet, seeing Joy was always the highlight of my week. God always used that one hour a week to bless me and draw me back to His love. And I was not the only one teaching, loving and caring, but every time Joy saw me at the door, her face brightened up and she hurried out of her seat so we could start our hour together. Joy's love opened my heart when I felt like closing it.
When I was scared to love, God opened my heart to love on Joy. I had opportunities to just talk, give advice, color, write, draw, read, walk, play, run, pretend and even help with her homework. I am not a natural planner, but God is forming me into one. Before our hour together I would plan what we would do, but often times my plans would always change depending on how Joy was doing that day. I got to apply what I learned in my education class and I found my confidence in teaching!
Joy opened her heart the more I showed myself faithful every week and she shared more and more about her life. In the beginning she said she may move next year to a different school, and we prayed some how she wouldn't, or that God would send her someone else to help her through school. At the end of the year her mom told me that they are not moving so that I could continue being Joy's mentor! Joy's teacher even told me that she could see a major change in Joy's confidence in class and with her friends after meeting with me. When I thought I wasn't making any difference, God reminds me of the impact that simply loving a child can do.
Mentoring Joy and staying in Arlington this summer has taught me to use my gifts of loving people for God in Arlington and at DBU, even in my own family. I may not have a leader title anymore in the college ministry, but I can still make a difference as an ordinary follower of Christ. Relationships are hard work, and not just romantic ones. All relationships require community and endurance, not willing to quit when life gets hard and overwhelming. It's the struggle that makes us closer with people and God. Just like a runner's endurance makes them closer to the finish.
I'm excited to continue mentoring Joy in the fall and going into the semester strong because I know I have a godly community around me and a loving Father willing to strengthen me. And I do not have to be afraid to love and let people in, because truth be told, there will always be someone who needs encouragement by you, and you will be encouraged by others. If I want someone to love me then I must first love them. God began showing me the definition of unconditional love through a child and through my family this summer. Unconditional love is not a natural spiritual gift for everyone, but God WILL work it into us if we let Him.
God is good all the time, and He is faithful to complete the work He's started!! :)
I want to encourage anyone to pray about possibly getting involved with a Kids Hope USA program with your church or school. It's only giving one hour in your week. You will not only impact and bless a child, the child will impact and bless you!
In Christ,
Molly Rae
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| Joy and I at the end of the Spring semester! Baptist Standard edited and posted my blog! https://www.baptiststandard.com/opinion/missions/16853-arlington-one-hour-with-joy |
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