a must-read

my friend susie is working at an orphanage (i think) in Africa, and she recently posted this story, which really got to me, and i wanted to share it with y'all.

Little Hands

I walk casually into the dining room as the kids are finishing up their

supper. I haven’t said a word, but the perky flowers and sunshine of

the ‘special bag’ on my shoulder have spoken volumes. I’m

immediately swarmed and surrounded as all the kids start speaking at

once-

“Oh!! Are we baking Aunty?”
“Aunty Susie isn’t it the girls are baking today?”
“What are we baking? It’s the boys turn right??”
“But the girls baked last time, how aunty….”
“Angege aunty, It’s not fair!”
“Mmmmm I’m hghallaring, what are you baking Aunty?”
“Can I carry your bag?”

After I deliver the news of whose turn it really is, we hear the groans of

those who are so misfortunate as to have to wait till next week, and the

victorious shouts from those who had to wait outside the kitchen last

week. So our little flock moves to take over the kitchen. I take a deep

breath, preparing for the chaos that is sure to follow, grinning in spite of

it all. Meanwhile the while the dialogue continues-

“What are we baking Aunty Susie?”
“Can I mix the eggs?”
“But my chair was here first!”
“Can we have sugar???”
“She licked the spoon Aunty!!”
“Aunty I haven’t had a turn yet…”
“Can I clean (and by that, they mean lick of course) that spoon?”
“Can I have my turn, I’m mixing that right?”
“Do we get to eat them now, don’t say tomorrow after school!”
“Where is the chocolate pieces aunty, can we have some?”
“This is going to be good…”
“Aunty I’m going to sit here and watch them till they are finished baking!”
“Haibo Aunty- the boys are coming in! Not fair!” “Ngiphusa amansi!” so I

step in to mediate, “ok young man, drink your water, then shesha hamba,

go play ok?”
“Mmmmm kumnandi kakhulu Aunty…”
“It’s toooo nice!”

And so it goes. After an hour I’m exhausted from having 10 rambunctious

sweeties squirming underfoot, from the noise, the heat in the kitchen

(since it obviously has to be kept closed to keep the other kids out :) and

from keeping the peace. I’ve guided little hands, laughed a lot, reshaped

cookies, chatted, cleaned, gave directions, and hopefully encouraged little

hearts. And generally speaking, we have a blast. I’ve always loved baking,

and now being able to bake with kids, for some of them this being a brand

new experience, it adds a whole new excitement. The cookies may come

out lopsided, the icing not quite right, the cake a little overdone, but the

results and smiles are worth a million bucks every time.

The other day a thought occurred to me. When I bake, I let the kids help

me, but why? To make my life easier?? Umm… no. It would be more

efficient, less stressful, and less messy if I just went and made the cookies

on my own. But those little hands are so eager to learn, to experience, and

feel useful and valued that I delight in giving them opportunities and also

just letting them know that they are loved.
Now if we who are earthly desire to do good things with our children, how

much more isn’t it that way with our heavenly Father?

God has the power to give life. He created from nothing. He’s the king of

the universe! Wouldn’t He be so much better off if He just spoke world

peace into being, spoke rebuilding into areas of disaster, or spoke instant

healing into every wounded heart? Perhaps- if He wanted robots. If He

didn’t love us. If He wasn’t willing to sacrifice His convenience to allow us

to ‘help’ Him. He uses our little hands even tho we often cause more

damage than already exists. He longs to guide us, to lead by example, and

give constant direction and affirmation- if we’re willing to listen. He does

all this because He loves us.

So I’ve realized God doesn’t need me to serve Him. He’d be better off

doing things Himself than using me in my weakness. But He loves me so

enormously that He desires for me to come near Him, to learn from Him,

and find my value in Him. And so I shall.

Here I am Lord. Take my little hands.