Rocks and a pickax…What do you do when your ministry is canceled for a few days? Simple…move rocks and pickax a field.
After breakfast, I was on a hunt for a project. Each of the boys are assigned certain projects so that they learn responsibility. My team’s ministry was canceled for the day so I wanted to find something that one, allowed me to spend time with the boys, and two, was productive so as to not waste the day away.
I found H out in the field shoveling rocks from the grass to combine them into the mound directly in front of him. I asked if he wanted help and he smiled and handed me a shovel. I didn’t understand why we were wasting time combining piles that would just be messed up within a few hours anyway. Surely there’s another solution to this. There has to be an alternative to how we are using our time. I continued shoveling away with my hands beginning to blister and thoughts of finishing filling my head.
Throughout the morning we talked about soccer, school, and H’s future. We talked about different desires he has for his life and how he could set goals to accomplish those desires. He’s a bit of a rebel at times and still has some maturing to do but what 18 year old doesn’t? His heart is good and with the right influence he has the ability to change lives. I truly believe that.
A few hours later we were relocated to pickax some of the front of the property. Never in my life have I used a pickax…never. We plowed that field like champs and got rid of all the large rocks in the soil to prepare for planting. We had the occasional photo shoot and dance breaks to keep our minds off of the labor and heat. All in all it wasn’t too bad.
We broke for lunch around noon and chugged a ton of water. As I was on my way to get my plate H stopped me and said “Thank you for working with me this morning. I like to talk about my dreams with people.” He hugged me, kissed my cheek, and was on his way. I learned a few things from that day. It doesn’t matter how ridiculous a task seems. My way isn’t always better. My way of moving rocks would’ve had us done in an hour but what kind of conversation would we have had then? I would’ve been so focused on the task instead of what God had placed right in front of me. God set up extra time for me to spend investing in H. Ministry is everywhere…you just have to look around and follow where God sends you.
