Human eyes say I’m in the role of “giving” on the World Race.
I give english lessons, I’m giving 11 months of my life to serve, I gave up most of my belongings, and yet there’s still more for me to give up along this journey.
These things are true. However there’s a stark contrast in God’s eyes (and mine when I yield my will to His). From the spiritual perspective, I’m receiving tenfold.
I take it for granted sometimes, but the ability to see life through God’s lense, if even for a brief moment, is an enormous gift.
Through it, I see how I constantly get more than I could ever possibly pour out. It’s one of those “only God” things I suppose.
I received tangible blessings like hot showers this month and free Spanish lessons. Even more, I received the light and love of the people I’m supposedly giving to.
Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)
Sometimes it’s a big hug from one of the kids I get to teach and others it’s finding encouragement in the joy I see from people who, according to the world’s standards, have way less than me.
There is so much space for me to receive what these people have to give. And trust me, they have a lot to give.
I get to walk away from a day of “giving of myself” more filled than I was when I opened my eyes. I love that!
It’s humbling to think that many of us go our entire lives with the perspective that we are the givers to those with less than us, whether that’s less money, less years, or less experience. It can be as simple as a mindset shift, and it can absolutely change your approach to every arena in life.
What if we flipped the switch? Looked at the givers as receivers? Stopped using education, financial wealth, and status as the measuring tape for what we have to offer?
What if we lined them up against the value of love, joy, and peace?
Could it be that the people we’ve set out to give to get the picture in areas that matter beyond what we can comprehend? Is the decadent abundance of America distorting the weight we place on the things that really matter?
In serving as an English teacher for the last month, I’ve seen first hand how much little children have to give away.
Kiddos don’t have much according to the world’s standards. They don’t yet have a full education, money of their own, or big platforms on which to share their voices.
Yet they lead by example by loving unashamedly, holding onto joy when the world says you don’t have a reason to be joyful, and being their authentic, full selves.
This has been apparent every day that I’ve walked into Colegio Santa Teresita. Always greeted with open arms and stretching smiles, I can’t help but take that example with me as I go on.
This week, we said goodbye to our little friends for what could be the last time. We celebrated the fun we had over the last four weeks with an American festival, and were surprised with an overwhelming amount of letters and gifts at the end of the school day.
I couldn’t believe it. Here I am, coming to give my time, my knowledge, my whatever and these kids gave me something even better: love.
It’s not about the stuff they put in my hands, or visa versa. It’s about giving what really matters. These kids surely have much to give, and I’m so thankful to be on the receiving end.
