I want to be a hero for GOD

Well, today several amazing things happened with one of the boys I have been working with. About a month ago I started visiting his school every Friday. He was giving his teacher a run for her money & in order to improve his behavior we decided it would be best if I dropped in to check on him once a week. Since beginning this whole process of partnering in education so many changes have taken place within this child & I want to use this post to share what God is doing. 


While I love this child with all of my heart, I also know him way to well. Therefore I was not at all surprised by the problems he was having with his teacher. Long story short, in the last month he has only gotten in trouble one time. Before God opened the door for me to be involved at the school he was getting in trouble every single day. So this is a HUGE step in the right direction! Not only is he making huge steps in his educational process he is making huge steps in his spiritual relationship with the Lord. Today while at his school I said, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" He replied, "I want to be hero for GOD." He ABSOLUTELY floored me! This was not what I was expecting at all. He went on to say, "And I want to be a hero for Tulsa.. I want to be a fireman." I am still absolutely amazed at this young man! Last semester I taught about becoming heroes of faith. I used people from the Old Testament to demonstrate to the kids how they have the same power to be a hero for God. That being said it is amazing to know that this child is holding onto that truth. He hears the word of God & it is changing his heart. 


As if this conversation wasn't enough to bring me to my knees, I had the opportunity to visit with his reading teacher as well. She began sharing the progress he has made. She said, "In staff meeting I told everyone, that little girl must pray a lot & her prayers must work. Because only God could make this big of a change." What an honor!... That is exactly what I want people to see in this ministry. I want them to see the work that God does. I can't do it without HIM & I am so grateful that there is a school that realizes that with God all things are possible. 


Later on in the day one of the other boy's in his class started to pester him & we began to talk about people that pick on us. He said, "Miss Kayla he's always picking on me!" I said, "Well Bub, you need to forgive him." His exact reply was, "I ain't forgiving that fool! He don't treat me right!" I replied, "Was Jesus treated right?" He said, "No... they beat the dog out of Jesus & then they killed him & he still forgave him. That means I gotta forgive him, huh?"... I love conversations like this! It is a true joy to hear children process the story of our Lord & savior & then discover what we have been called to be through HIM.

Lastly, before leaving the school today I was joking with him about how I'm getting old & can't keep up with his quick legs. He said, "Miss Kayla, someday you really will get old & you know what I'm gonna do then? I replied, "What buddy?" He said, "I'm gonna take care of you & make sure you gotta a house & some food 'cause you always take care of me." This conversation absolutely broke my heart!  You see? I don't have a choice anymore. GOD placed me in this ministry with children who desperately need HIM. I don't get the option of quitting! If I do what happens to this child? He is just one child in a ministry of many... one child that goes without food, love, & affection... one child that desperately needs to feel loved & know that he's good! Where does he end up in fifteen years if I quit on the calling God placed on my life? 


These questions literally haunt me! Because I know the answer to them... he ends up in a gang so that he can somehow belong. And then he ends up in a jail, along with two of his older brothers who went before him. I refuse to allow that to be the case. I will continue to fight for this child every single day because my LORD fought for me! Not only did HE fight for me, but he placed a call on my life... a call to FIGHT for HIS children & I will do so every day until HE calls me HOME!!


I have been ruined for the kingdom of heaven. I no longer have a choice...


Lord- Thank you for the opportunity to be involved in the lives of your children! I cannot put into words what it means to be involved in your kingdom. I am amazed by the work you are doing. Please continue to work through me in spite of my weaknesses. I pray that these children will continue to see you & will want to commit their lives to you forever. You are so good! Please continue to fight for your children. 


Ephesians 3:7-"This is my life-work: helping people understand and respond to the gospel of God's grace"