They are not my kids but I felt like a proud parent as I sat in the front row and took a video of “A” and “C” reciting their Bible verses.
I’ve been the Sunday School teacher of these kids on and off over the last 5 years. As I watch them share what the Bible meant to them, I felt a rush of pride and tears welled up in my eyes as I see how much they’ve matured.It gave me a deep sense of satisfaction to know that I am a part of the lives of these children.
I’ve also experienced the thrill of giving workshops where participants came up afterwards to thank me for influencing them. To have been a part in their lives, only for a couple of hours, gave me a sense of satisfaction as well.
But investing in someone’s life for 5 years is different than having an influence on someone in a 2-hour workshop. It takes a lot more to develop a relationship with someone over a long period of time, to be there when they need you, to go through seasons of life together. It takes commitment, sacrifice, resources, and most of all, being real.
What I mean by that is, in a one-shot workshop, I can be dynamic, I can be funny, I can appear to be loving and kind and compassionate. I can look good and people like me. But they don’t really know the real me.
With people that I am in a relationship with for several years, we see each other’s good, bad and ugly. They see me when I’m down, and grouchy, and at my worst. I open myself to being vulnerable. Yet, that investment of deeper relationships pays off to give greater satisfaction.
People think that this kind of community and relationship only happens with your peers. But it can happen intergenerationally if you give it a chance. I experienced it with “A” and “C” who are in elementary school. I thank God for our little church family of all ages.