"Burwell children, guess what we are doing on Saturday?"
(Blank looks. No doubt, each one is thinking, "I hope it isn't anything where we have to spend time together.")
"We are helping with a Traveling Christmas Party! Some church members donated a TON of toys and clothes, and we get to deliver them to families in need."
"OMG. How boring." (says the man-child)
"How long will it take??" (says the blonde)
"Bruh." (says the one named after a music superstar)
"That will be fun!" (says the one who is still an angel and not a bundle of hormones--yet)
Saturday comes, and we pack the Pilot and drive to Jimmy Carter Drive. We meet several members of Campus Church and receive our assignment: Troy and Will are to deliver bags of food to families in extended stay motels, while the girls and I give out stockings to families who have daughters aged 5-8. The stockings contain objects to delight any five-to-eight-year-old girl: Barbies, coloring tablets and markers, books, hair accessories, and more! Our stockings sit in white laundry baskets and we tailgate in the motel parking lot (with 19 other cars!) and await our Christmas "shoppers". Oh, you should see the beautiful, joyful faces. Each one hugs her stocking fiercely and races to her room to unpack the contents. They are so grateful. You know, the way we wish OUR kids were.
What is it about living in North Fulton County? The Burwell children observe so much wealth around them that they think WE are poor. Explaining that we are in the top 1% of wealth in the world, as is virtually anyone who lives in any part of Johns Creek, Georgia, sounds like crazy talk to them. Even the "good kids" often have a case of brat-itis. What cures it?
No doubt, at least one step towards the cure is exposing the kids to people and places where they can serve. I find that they almost always hate it, at first. I too am often quite UN-excited about it, if I am being honest. But then, they get there. They personally WITNESS the needs and FEEL God using them to meet needs, and they change a little. Just a little, but that is enough. One day at a time, right?
On the way home, we ask the kids, "What did you think?" Will's answer is best: "You know, I was not at all wanting to do this, but I am so glad you made me and I am so glad we did it. When that girl hugged me and thanked me for the gifts, that was amazing."
Then I asked him, "How does it feel to be used by God?" He replied, "Awesome. Really awesome. I think we should do that EVERY year."
I agree.