“Hey, girls! Guess what! This morning, we’re going to the school to tutor and then we’ll read to some kids in the library, and then this afternoon, we’ll help take food to some hungry children in a local neighborhood.”
This morning’s announcement from my team leader was music to my ears. My team hasn’t had the chance to help with the school or in the library yet, and I’ve been itching for a turn to serve in this area.
I went upstairs, grabbed my camera and water bottle, and then started bouncing back down the stairs, ready to greet the day.
What I was not ready to greet was this little bit of news:
“Oh, change of plans. We’re actually doing construction again this morning. They need help digging the foundation for the new preschool.”
I let out a sigh and, feeling a bit deflated, returned upstairs to put on my work clothes and grab my gloves. To be honest, I didn’t really want to do construction. I wanted to tutor and read and meet children, not get sweaty and muddy and sore.
As we got to the school to start digging, my teammates started talking about what would one day take place in the building for which we were laying the foundation. The community would finally have a preschool, and the young children could receive an early education, rather than wandering the streets or simply being babysat all day.
What we were doing was undeniably helpful and important. It was a great opportunity to serve the community!
It just wasn’t glamorous.
You see, it’s easy to smile when a young child comes running and squealing for you to pick them up.
It’s easy to be excited when a teenage girl remembers your name when she greets you.
It’s easy to enjoy painting little fingernails and praying with locals and spooning hot meals into young children’s bowls.
It’s not so easy to have a good attitude when your back hurts from shoveling.
It’s not so easy to be joyful when cold rain begins to fall in sheets and muddy the clay.
It’s not so easy to be grateful for the opportunity to serve in construction when another team walks by hand in hand with adorable little kids.
It’s not easy. But it’s possible.
Our attitudes are a choice. It’s true on the world race, and it’s true in life.
Philippians 2:14 says, “Do all things without grumbling or questioning.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Are you always seeking God’s will for your life? Here it is. Give. Thanks. Always.
I didn’t have the right attitude when I first heard the news about construction, but God gently convicted me, gave me a new mindset, and empowered me with the grace to truly enjoy the morning’s task.
There was a lot of satisfaction to be found in using our bodies for His glory, working together as a team to accomplish a task, and seeing visible progress as the hole went deeper and deeper.
If God had not helped me to change my attitude, my initial disappointment would have quickly blossomed into anger, selfishness, and jealousy. I would have had a terrible morning, not because of the labor but because of my attitude. And I would have probably carried that bad attitude right into our afternoon’s ministry– where we did get to visit a local community, bring hot food to the children, and meet and pray with local women.
I will face moments like this for the rest of my life– as a friend, a daughter, an employee, a wife, a mother,… whatever role I’m called to fill. There will always be moments where my expectations aren’t met or the work is hard or other people seem to have it much easier.
What will I choose? What will you choose? Let’s start choosing gratitude over grumpiness, praise over pouting, and willingness over whining– all for our good and God’s glory!
Father, thank you for redirecting my attitude today. Thank you for helping me to enjoy the works You prepared in advance for me to do, even when they were not what I originally hoped for. Please empower me each day to walk in an attitude of selflessness, humility, and gratitude. Help me to do whatever task is set before me with a willing and thankful heart. As You teach me this on the race, please instill these qualities in me in such a way that they truly sink in, so that I can continue to grow in gratitude throughout my life, in the glamorous moments as well as in the mud. May you always be glorified in my heart, my life, my attitude, my work, and my words. Thank you for the little lessons you gently teach me throughout my day. Help me to always hear You in those details that I may grow ever more like You and glorify You in all that I do. May my life bring you glory and honor always. Amen.
My wonderful team leader Rachel and I ready to start digging
Hard at work!
Standing in the final product after 3 hours of work with the pick ax and shovel. It's deeper than it looks!
Teaching the Battle of Jericho at VBS… They were acting it out as I told the story.
The Israelites march around Jericho 7 times before it falls!
Motorcycle Taxi– just one of three nerve-wracking modes of transportation I've tried so far!
Filipino people are so friendly and they love having their pictures taken!
Isn't she beautiful?
PS: I really, really wanted to include pictures from our afternoon taking food to a local village to feed the children, but after over an hour of wrestling with this blogging website, I have decided to upload them to Facebook instead. Please check out those beautiful photos and their captions by clicking here!
