No...not the Mavs. Another - painful - blog for another time.
Zone - meaning "comfort zone".
Yesterday was one of my favorite days ever w/school-type-stuff. I went w/my daughter's class on the 1st grade "mission trip" they do every year. Its a hard trip to take and I assume not the most popular one that mommies/daddies want to tag along for...the whole 1st grade goes to a nursing home to sing, recite scripture, and spend some time talking to the folks about Christ. Yep, that's right...its not just a go-and-sing-and-smile show, they actually spend time talking about Christ. And now you understand why - I'm guessing - its not the most popular trip to go on.
What is more scary: stepping out of your comfort zone and talking boldy about Christ to strangers OR stepping outside your comfort zone and going to a nursing home where it can feel scary and uncomfortable? I dunno. But I'll tell you, it was about the coolest thing I've ever seen.
Let me lay it out for you:
We walk in with 80 or so 1st graders, 4 teachers, and about 25 parents, I'd guess. As we walk in, you are first assaulted with that smell, feel, taste of illness...you cant deny it. It is a scary feeling, even if you've been in places like this before (and it was a VERY nice place, by the way) and know what to expect. There are strange sounds...people crying out, or just crying in pain/sadness, lots of wheel-chaired folks parked around - just trying to get a change of scenery, I suppose.
When you're 7ish, it can be scary.
When you're 39ish, it can be scary.
We head to the dining room and some of the healthier folks are there waiting. Kiddos set up and teachers start the lil jambox of tunes. The kids sing well w/sweet hand motions and all seem to enjoy. I watch - thru tears - as I can see kids' faces get fearful when they hear a person in the back crying out. But, then, recover quickly - like kiddos do - and smile and sing. Then, they recite their memory verses..."Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert..." - they were perfect and precious.
After 3 songs and 4 different memory verses, each parent takes a group of kids (I had Maya and a friend) out to go and visit with the folks individually for about 45 mins. Kiddos had bracelets to give (with beads representing the salvation story) and a "book" they made on their own to read to these sweet people.
And that's when the reality of where we were and what we were doing hit me, because my daughter says to me, "Mommy, I want to leave...I'm really scared...why are people making loud noises? I want to leave." And, so, like any good Mommy I said to her: "There is nothing to be scared of...you are safe. People sometimes just have bodies that dont work as well as they used to...they are the same people on the inside and our being here makes them happy. If you feel nervous, just smile and remember, when you smile you are loving on them...and we need to love everyone the way Jesus would want us to." It worked somehow...the rest of the day, she had a sweet smile ready at all times.
And then, something really cool happened...BOLDNESS happened. I watched as she spoke with confidence and even gave her own bracelet when we ran out of bracelets to hand out. I watched as she emerged from the protection of her comfort zone...and boldly stepped out to love those who may seem unloveable.
She's 7. And I'm 39. I dont step out enough.
Ya see, I serve God and am willing to share of what He's done in my life WITHIN my comfort zone...and I convince myself that is all that's asked of me. How often do I love the unloveable or smile at the ones who dont seem to see anything worth smiling about? I have so much to learn.
Oh, I wanted to add...
We had a family member that was in an Alzheimer's home for 5 years. Whenever they had groups of children come visit, the residents just loved every minute. I'm sure your group really touched these peoples hearts. The words of Jesus' love that the children shared probably made a big impact.
Posted by: Brenda | May 15, 2009 at 02:36 PM
That was a wonderful story that brought tears to my eyes. How brave of your sweet, little daughter, and how generous to give up her bracelet. I agree, it is difficult to be bold and step outside of my comfort zone.
Posted by: Brenda | May 15, 2009 at 02:34 PM