I was speaking to a family at my church one recent Sunday. The parents were telling me about their children going through the Bible Adventure program. As their son Adam* walked up to the conversation, I looked down and saw the small, wooden cross around his neck. I said, “Hey! That’s an award! Good job!” He smiled so proudly as his mother said, “He wears it everywhere he goes.” I suddenly realized, and was convicted of, the little thought I put into the awards. I always wanted them to be something the students wanted to work for – something they got excited about – but never thought much beyond that. I remember packing those awards for Adam’s school the week before. I remembered how I counted out the prizes and tossed them into the bag without much thought, thinking about the next thing I needed to do. As I stood there looking at this proud, beaming little face, I realized how what I do – what we all do – goes beyond the office and into the world. It amazed me how this little necklace could have such a big effect. That small award brought such an excitement that was shared with so many – a ripple of excitement that went beyond age and grade. It went beyond the supply room and the office. His parents, siblings, friends, and his church family were excited about this necklace as It’s proudly worn everywhere he goes. How ironic that a wooden cross would touch so many.
*Name changed.
