Small Things

By Joy Canning

“Mom, what”s a bum?” asked my daughters, beginning one of those ill-timed but precious bedtime conversations. Apparently their music teacher warned them to pay attention in school or they would surely end up “bums” collecting cans from the garbage.

We discussed what he might have meant by “bum,” and then it happened. In one of my most cherished moments as a parent, both girls decided the people they see collecting cans from the garbage are too hardworking to deserve the label of “bum.” I live for those moments””moments when the beauty of my daughters” hearts shapes their interpretation of the world around them.

Nothing highlights my responsibility as early childhood director at my church quite like my role as a parent. I want my daughters to develop compassionate and generous hearts. I am sometimes overwhelmed by the extent of my influence on their character, both as their parent and the developer of their Sunday school curriculum. This motivates me, because while I want to instill knowledge, I also want to develop young people who don”t see “bums” digging through trash cans, but rather hardworking, lovable, precious people.

ABUNDANT RESOURCES

This fall six students, ages 5-10, spent eight weeks discovering their own abundant resources, developing sharing hearts, and exploring the impact of generosity. Through Heifer International, they chose an animal to give to an impoverished family. They chose the animal””animals actually””they considered to be the most adorable and cuddly: fluffy yellow chicks, available for $20 a flock.

It seemed do-able””they”d buy a flock of chicks. But where would they get the money? Twenty dollars is a lot for children that age.

First, an artist friend gave a watercolor lesson and helped the kids create paintings. These masterpieces were hung for sale in Postmark Café. The kids” work was amazing: purple chickens, multicolored roosters, brilliantly colored eggs and, of course, fluffy yellow chicks.

Next was a read-a-thon. The kids secured sponsors for books they would read, culminating with a reading marathon. The chicks they bought with the earnings would ultimately give families financial freedom, allowing other children to go to school and learn to read themselves.

The kids” projects raised $1,095″”enough to buy 54 flocks of chicks!

GREAT LOVE

Mother Teresa said we can do no great things, just small things with great love.

Six children in Brooklyn, New York, found a way to do their own small things. Their simple acts of sharing became huge displays of generosity that made a difference in the lives of 54 families.

My desire is to see another reality emerge from teaching like this. I want these kids to develop generous hearts, risky lives, and reckless abandon for a God they have fallen madly in love with. Glimpses of this reality are already apparent!

 

 

Joy Canning serves at Church! Of Park Slope in Brooklyn, New York.