A program was envisioned where members of the church would spend time with elementary school children sharing some area of enrichment---art, reading, drama, etc.
Tom said that the idea was really to share the love of God. He commented that the idea of the love of God is kind of vague--- hard to really identify, describe. He said he thinks of it simply as kindness.
I was one of the ones who participated in that program at the school "teaching a class" "leading a club" offering an opportunity for the children to interact with poetry. The way that turned out, I did not feel especially successful. Sometimes there were very few students there. From week to week, it was different students, making it hard to get to know them well. Half an hour was not really much time to 'teach poetry'. The location was less than ideal.
After Tom's explanation, I feel differently about my experience. I guess I was measuring my "success" by the number of participants. (Churches do that, too!!). But if, in fact, the goal, the idea, the intention was kindness, then I know that my efforts were completely on target.
Maybe I didn't impart valuable information about poetry. But I know I was always kind. Therefore, it's good to know that the goal was met, the purpose fulfilled.
(Thanks, Tom, for that reminder!)
Sometimes we simply have to re-frame our thinking!
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