The Thursday before spring break, the kiddos came in the classroom in anticipation of the “big surprise” that I wanted to share with them. I had spent the night before laying in bed thinking of ways to tell the kids that I was going to be having an adventure next year and that I would not be in Nashville. With the help of others, I decided to set my new home up in the classroom so that the kids could experience what my life was going to be like. I also borrowed a former World Racer’s backpack, sleeping bag, and mattress pad to show them.
The kids piled in the classroom that morning and sat on the carpet ready for me to tell them why in the world there was a tent set up in the classroom. I slowly began to tell them about my adventure. We researched the countries that I was going to (we had previously studied other cultures in our IB unit so they knew all the questions to ask) and we researched the countries on google maps.
The kids were in AWE of the beauty of these countries. They asked about the adventures that I would go on, if I would eat some of the weird food, and many other good questions.
Then one kid said “So what’s with the tent.”
Good question, kid. When I picture “adventures”, “vacations”, “traveling” I picture big, comfy beds that I can sleep in before going to the beach all day. I picture a nice, even tan. I picture getting dressed up after laying out at the beach to grab some dinner. I picture wine and dessert on the balcony of my nice hotel.
“What’s the backpack for?” asked another kid. Well kid, it’s for my 10 items of clothes, medicines, toiletries, chacos, tennis shoes, and maybe some extra things IF I’m lucky/can even carry the bag. Oh wait. Somehow I have to stuff my sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and a pillow into that bag as well. Go ahead. You can laugh. I laugh, too at the thought of all of this.
What was I thinking. I love Nashville. I adore my job. I love my students. My friends rock. My parents live 10 seconds away. So why. Why was I giving up my bed, shoes, clothes, and cheese dip to have an “adventure.”
After the fact slipped into these little first grader head that they were looking at my home, dresser, and bathroom in the corner of the classroom, they were asking the same question: what was I thinking.
Why would I sacrifice comfort for adventure? Because the adventure is being selfless for a year.
I am going to be honest. My love language is not acts of service. I would rather be served like a princess than to serve others. I enjoy being selfish and doing things my way. I look at list of cons for this trip and they are so small compared to the biggest pro: I get to serve others for a year. I get to be so greatly humbled by sleeping in a tent, living out of a backpack, sharing a bathroom with tons of other people. I get to love others well and develop sweet, deep friendships. I get to learn what it means to be selfless.
Kids help you think hard about your life. They make you dig deep to try and simplify things that have such great depth. What’s with the tent? I explained that in life, you have to make choices to do things for other people. Life isn’t all about you and what you want. Life isn’t all about comfort and having things. Life is about serving others and letting yourself be served. I will be building, digging, having really hard conversations, laughing, loving, missing home, stinky, sweaty, and humbled. This isn’t for me. I am choosing to do something for someone else.
After explaining this to the kids, I got the best response that made me want to sob. “So you’ll be a superhero. You’ll be helping others who need your help.”
I never realized that this trip was going to open up such great conversation. When I applied for this trip, I thought it was going to be a great experience for me. I never realized that it would be a great experience for others as well. My kids are right. I am being a superhero: selfless, helpful, loving, brave, compassionate. But then the conversation turned to them. How can YOU be a superhero in Nashville? Where are places or people in Nashville who need you to be selfless and serve them?
This is not going to be a vacation for a year. I am not going on this trip to experience different cultures, see different places, meet new people. I am going on this trip because the world needs to know its creator. The world needs to hear the Good News of a Savior. I am going on this trip to share with others and to be humbled.
Today I watched many superheroes come out and serve our city. All over Nashville, people dedicated their time and money to chat with others, serve them, and share. I was proud and excited to see people who have a desire to serve and love on others.
Romans 12: 9-13 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
How can you serve others in your city?
