This past week I was a small group leader for vacation bible school. I taught a group, primarily of boys, who had just graduated from 4th grade, so 9 and 10 year olds. Each child had such a unique personality but they were all some of the greatest kids I've ever worked with. One boy in particular caught my attention. He reminded me of the type of kids that would be my favorites when I worked at camp, except this boy was much more well behaved. One thing that struck me was that whenever we finished doing something, whether it was an object lesson during small group time or a craft, he would ask me if he could throw it away. I told him he could if he really wanted to, but asked if he had anyone he could give it to and he said no. On the second day they made bandannas in craft time. He threw it away, but I went back and picked it up. I think he saw me as I was folding it and put it in my pocket, but didn't say anything. The fourth day, they made bible covers. He asked me again if he could throw it away, but this time I asked him to take it home with him so he had time to think about it, and then if he really didn't want it, he could throw it away there. He smiled and said ok. The next day they made necklaces in crafts. This time he didn't ask me if he could throw it away.

I don't know if anything I taught this week about the bible sunk in with any of them. But it was such a blessing to me to watch him, and the rest of them, come out of their comfort zones and allow me to care for them. It's my prayer that by showing them that they're worthwhile to me, they learn to discover their own worth, and realize that they're also worthwhile to God.