I spent the first half of this week painting doors and windows at one of the government run orphanages. My team is the first team to ever come and stay overnight at the orphanage. My team was there to paint and to play with the kids. As far as painting goes, the quality left a little to be desired. We were given very little paint and were only able to buy a few extra cans. So, gasoline was added as a paint thinner…. Lots and lots of gasoline. The paint was so thin that it was almost impossible to paint with. There were also several different colors of paint, so each door and window is a different color. While I was working, this question came to mind….
Is it more important what we do, or the spirit in which we do them?
Is it more important that my door looks perfect or that the kids feel loved and a part of the process, despite the mess? Is it more important that my paint is the perfect consistency, or that my translator feels honored and loved as he prepares the paint for us? Is it more important that my paint is smooth and handprint free, or that I stop and hug and snuggle the little ones that come to lean on me and watch me paint? Is it more important that I finish in a timely manner or that I look the kids in the face while they are talking, even if I don’t understand their language?
It’s easy to get caught up in the task and forget why we do the tasks. Sure, it’s much more difficult with kids (and adults) slinging paint everywhere and coming to talk and stare at you – but everyone just wants to be involved in the excitement. Whether it’s gathering rocks to hold newspaper down, wiping dust off of doors, grabbing a paintbrush, or pulling up a chair to sit and watch, everyone wants to be a part of the process.
People feeling loved and valued is way more important that whether my doors look perfect… or even good. After all, there is a difference between doing things with excellence and being a perfectionist. Perfectionism is all about me and how people will view me and my work. Excellence is all about Jesus – doing the best of my ability given whatever circumstances I find myself in, to bring Him the most glory.
At the end of the day, Jesus cared more about the kids than the doors being painted. So, my doors may not have been beautiful, but they were excellent.
