Lessons from a Box
March 20, 2009
A couple of days ago, I noticed a disruption outside my door. In preparing the “Community Closet”, my co-workers had emptied the clothing from wardrobe boxes and placed them by the dumpster with the intention of cleaning them out and disposing of them. Upon further inquiry, I learned that the boxes had stirred the imaginations of some neighborhood children who had emptied the debris inside the boxes onto the ground around the dumpster and were building a cool fort on the Housing project playground area. I overheard the staff and visitors complaining and did not say a word, but got up and walked to the said area where the children were…I found them with the mega-boxes! Their eyes grew as big as saucers as they saw me approach and realized that they were “busted”.
I said, “Okay, this is how it’s going to be…I will give you 10 minutes to clean up the mess that you made by the dumpster or I am reporting each of you to the Housing Authority. One little boy said, “You don’t know my name, Lady!” I told him to try me as I walked away.
Truth…I only knew a couple of those children, but I came back to the Center and wrote a short accounting of what they had done. Out the door I went, paper in hand, and saw my little munchkins finishing up the task at hand. I read the incident report that I had written to them and told them how disappointing their behavior had been…after all, “This is your neighborhood!” I said. I explained that Wesley House is here for them and how much I need their help to keep it clean.
Several apologized. I asked them how, given the same situation, they could do better. One little girl said, “I would empty the box in the dumpster first, then ask for the box.” “Right! That is exactly right! Or you have my permission to take the boxes as long as you don’t make a mess.” Then, I wrote as they watched, “The children have now cleaned up their mess beautifully!” Each was asked to sign their first and last names underneath the statement. I asked if they wanted the boxes for their fort and they nodded, “Yes.” “Well, then, take them”, I responded. They smiled and went on about their business of fort-building!
What a great moment that was for all of us. A seemingly, bad and intense situation that God used to uplift and build… Imagine that! In evaluating the moment, I realized that those children live in small little apartments with their families and the living space is so close that it does not allow for alone-time and creativity. Those boxes provided a little privacy and lots of creative fun for those little kids! What a relationship building moment it was for all of us. I am learning that situations and/or events may often appear to be a nuisance, like this one, but blessings are waiting if we just look for them!
Comments
3 Responses to “Lessons from a Box”
Got something to say?
this was an awesome story that really made me stop and think about how i react to my children sometimes…even when they are simply acting as children, and doing the same things i probably did at their age…i sometimes forget what it was like to be their age and i become upset at what they are doing. I know deep down i should stop to think of an appropriate way to react that could be beneficial for myself and my kids, but i react first and think second. I am aware of this, and try to stop to think first, although i still seem to react first. I am working onthis..thank you for this story!!
Way to think “outside the box”, Ginger!
It takes a God-consious, classy lady to respond with the kindness that you did. Would that we all could think of life lessons we can give and receive when confronted with these kinds of situations. You may never know how much influence you have on the future of those children by the way you handled it.