Learning From Children

As Alexandrea Jade approached the playground at school, one of the first things she noticed was the bright red wooden bench. Her son explained, “That’s the Buddy Bench. If someone feels lonely or has no one to play with, they sit there and other kids go ask them to play.” Curious, Alexandrea asked her son if he had ever used the bench. “When I was new, I sat there and someone came and asked me to play. I felt happy. And now when I see kids on it, I go and ask them to play. We all do.”

The first week of September, some students at Troy High School, in Troy, Ohio, began secretly making origami hearts with a handwritten message for every student in their school. Last week they anonymously placed the hearts on every locker in the school. One student responded, “Whover you are…You made an entire school feel seen, loved, and remembered today.”

 

Recently, Ben Miller, from Boise, Idaho, set up a lemonade stand, in order to raise money for the local animal shelter. The nine-year-old raised $1,150 for food and toys for the animals. Ben presented the money to the owner of the shelter in a large bag. His proud mother commented, “His kind heart and determination have made a real difference, proving, that even the youngest among us can change the world. With each dollar raised, he gives animals more than food or toys…he gives all of us an example of true compassion.”

 

While sitting in her car at the red light, at the corner of Jackman and Alexis, Jenna Steele saw a car pull into the gas station.  The driver parked and three young men exited the car. They each reached for their wallets, took out cash, gave it to the homeless man standing at the corner. After speaking to the man and shaking his hand, the guys got back in the car and drove off.

 

May we, too, notice, encourage, celebrate, and learn from the heart, compassion, and thoughtfulness of children.

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4