Bollinger's Blog
The Mark of Love / Mar 10, 01:57 PM
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
THIS is what it takes in Clarkston. There are four boys in our neighborhood that Brian and I interact with on almost a daily basis. At ages 5, 8, 8, and 10 they are also four of the most challenging kids that we know. Their behavior tests us on a daily basis. What is the best way to respond when they demand things, ignore my correction, play the victim, ask the same question over and over? How do they need to be loved? How do they need to be disciplined? How do they need to be taught, whether manners, life skills, or multiplication?
We are so thankful for our teammates who discuss and think through these things with us. Our MY President’s wife, Mrs. Donna Barber, has also helped our team navigate some of these issues. She led a training session for us about working with inner-city children at the beginning of the year and it was a blessing to talk with her more recently about the specifics we face with the kids in our neighborhood.
It is so tempting to set boundaries that keep the kids out. It’s so easy to become frustrated and impatient, developing a ‘no’ spirit towards them. But the Lord is changing my heart for these children more and more. I no longer see them as the ‘bad, unruly, crazy’ kids. When they respond with anger, I see the feelings of rejection and disappointment underneath. And when they accomplish something, I get to see the joy and excitement in their eyes. We celebrate every victory: wearing shoes outside to play, following instructions, peaceful interactions, sharing with others.
Faith. Hope. Love. I once heard a pastor say “God loves us just as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way.” It is this hope-filled Love that is changing me and changing my heart for these boys. And it is faith in the promise that God has begun a good work in these children and will be faithful to complete it that gives me courage to hope (Philippians 1:6). It is hope that enables me to see these boys in a way not defined by their ‘undesired’ behaviors.
Love is the greatest of these because it makes the others possible. Please pray for us, that we might leave the mark of Love upon these children.
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