Ripples

It began on a Sunday morning. A first-grade lad sat on a church pew and listened to the minister speaking. His ears perked up when he heard the minister make a lesson application just for children. He heard him explain about surprises and keeping a happy secret. The little lad’s mind wheels started rolling.

Enter a few more lads and lasses. The first little lad explained his idea. His fellow classmates enthusiastically added a few more details. Soon they had a full-blown plan in place.

The next day at school the teacher heard whispers of, “Shh, don’t tell her. Don’t let her know.” And since these whispers were right in front of her, she pretended she didn’t notice. But soon one little lass exclaimed, “We’ve got a secret, but you can’t know what it is.”

All day long, little bits of planning came out. At recess, one lass asked the teacher, “Will it be okay if we do the surprise tomorrow at break?” And later another child said, “Can we ask Ms. Breanna (the aide) to help us?” And at dismissal, a concerned individual told the teacher, “Now, in the morning, don’t look in our backpacks!” (As if the teacher ever did.)

But though the teacher was well informed that something was up, no one had divulged what it was.

The next morning, first graders popped into the library and out again with their backpacks a bit lighter.

At break time, the teacher was banished and then invited into her classroom where she discovered a box on her desk full of “love”. Scented candles, homemade cards, a thank you letter, money for coffee, soap, an arrowhead treasure, quarters, hand towel, candy, treat mix, hand-drawn pictures, mugs, and more filled the box to say, “thank you for teaching us”.

The teacher’s heart was full and over-flowing as she viewed the special surprise her first graders planned and pulled off, because a minister had said something in church that triggered a lad’s thoughts.

And all the rest of the day, a happy glow shone through the classroom.

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That Sunday morning sermon pebble, dropped into the ear of a small boy, left ripples that grew and grew. In reflecting on this incident, there are several points that come to mind.

1. Never underestimate the power of your words. A teacher can feel like their words are making no impact on student lives. A minister may feel like their words are not taken to heart. A parent can feel that their words go in one ear and out the other. But one never knows what ripple effect a short snippet of words may have. Ministers, teachers, parents, take heart. Your words are not insignificant. And one day, they may return to you and bless you.
2. Truly selfless giving gives back to the giver. My students were just as pleased as I was with the surprise they pulled off. A child is a grand example of delighting to give – even if it means giving up of your own personal treasures.
3. It wasn’t the treasures that made my day. The students who unselfishly gave, the teamwork it took to plan and organize, the care that went into the cards and notes, the thoughtfulness behind the idea, the parents who allowed the project to proceed – that is what made my heart full.
4. It was not only me that was blessed. I think each parent also went to bed with fuller hearts, as they explored their children’s idea and the nugget that sparked it.

All because a minister preached a sermon, and a small boy listened.

Photo by Linus Nylund on Unsplash