Bay Presbyterian Church - Christmas in a Shoebox / Kids Church

CHRISTMAS IN A SHOEBOX / KIDS CHURCH

We had a full house on Saturday, the day of our annual Christmas Party - the day we handed out the Christmas Shoe Boxes. As usual, there were a few kids we had never seen before, but only about 4 out of approximately a hundred kids. And just as I had anticipated, there were a few kids who had only recently started coming to Kids Church in late November or early December, which means they weren't around when I turned in my "order" to BPC. One was a little boy, Ethan*, who's about 8 years old. He and his sister were recently moved out of the foster care system to live with his grandparents. The grandparents also have custody of Ethan's two cousins, who have been Kids Church regulars for several years. Ethan is an adorable child, but on Saturday he was a bit nervous and jittery. He realized, or perhaps his grandparents warned him, that those Christmas Boxes are planned well in advance. Unsure if anyone had planned for him, he looked up at me with wide imploring eyes and asked me, "Will I get a Christmas Box today?"

Has Someone planned for Ethan? So many people have tried so hard, worked tirelessly, counted boxes, and recounted Boxes. But, there are always unpredictable situations. Every month we have five to fifteen new kids at Kids Church! How do I predict how many will return or which kids will come the day of the Christmas party? Will any of us have to tell a child like Ethan who has already been forgotten too often by too many, "I'm so, so sorry-- we're all out. There isn't a box for you"?

We all have a different burden in this "cycle of giving". Many wonderful volunteers have to be organized at a very high level and beg for donors, wondering if enough people will be found to make Boxes in time to meet commitments. Those who make the Boxes sometimes struggle with what to put in them, remembering where and when to turn them in, trying hard not to miss crucial deadlines in the midst of all the holiday activity. And my struggle is always to trust others with all these variables, to surrender my fear of having to be the one who sees the face of a disappointed child, a child who has already suffered too many disappointments.

I admit I was nervous. Every year in October I use all my powers of calculation to guess how many Boxes we'll need when December rolls around. I ask for extras but I don't want to ask for so many that it creates a burden for you folks to provide boxes we may not need. If I were doing this ministry on my own I would be in big trouble. I really couldn't do it year after year and face these uncertainties.

This year, however, I heard God with absolute clarity remind me, "You don't need psychic powers, Kim. I've got it covered." After too many years of fearing that whatever I do, it won't be enough, I realized at last that I was never supposed to try to be "enough" for these kids, for my own kids, for anyone. I can only bring water. HE makes wine. Only Jesus is "Enough," sufficient, the Completer, the Finisher, the Bread of Life - ALL we need.

And He proved it again on Saturday! Ethan and about a hundred of his closest friends all got the most wonderful Christmas Boxes. Every child was elated, some absolutely shaking with excitement, all entirely blessed and grateful. The room was filled with smiles and laughter. Someone has planned for Ethan when all the rest of us could not. He forgets no one. He leaves no one out.

Thanks be to God and the host of volunteers for marvelously teaching and showing Ethan, and all the kids at Kids Church, that Someone sees them, knows their needs, cares for them, and provides. None of us need to be afraid any more.

Love, love, love,

Kim Moore

Team Leader, Calvary Kids Church

*The child’s real name has not been used to protect his identity.

Click here to learn more about Kids Church.

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