Being a parent is hard work and most of the time it’s a pretty thankless job. I know I felt that way at times with my four (now adult) children as they were growing up and I feel that way now with 29 kids. I want, I want, I want seems to be the only words I hear from 29 kids (and some adults) and usually no thanks for what we’ve all been given by God’s grace.
I certainly don’t do what I do for thanks, nor do I think parents in general do it for thanks….if that were so I’m not sure if the human race would continue on! We do it out of love for our children. But the past few days have been filled with “I wants” and to hear a sincere thank you would have been encouraging.
As I opened my computer at C4KK I was able to chat with my baby (Amanda, who happens to be 21) and talked to her about this and she said: “this may be the first time something nice has happened to some of those kids and many wouldn’t even think that they should thank the people that help them. Some may just assume that that is the reason you guys are there and they don’t need to thank because they don’t think you need it” Whoa, God used my baby to give me a little kick in the rear for my attitude!
Right after this I was told two of our secondary kids had not done what they were supposed to do, so I had to cut off the conversation with Amanda to deal with it. But I had Amanda’s words ringing in my head 🙂 These two kids had done poorly last term and the school required them to attend tutoring, at school, a week before school opened and they were to report today by 10am for a special meeting and begin tutoring. I asked them yesterday when they would be leaving and they said 8am (it’s not that far away but with the transport system here they have to leave early in order to actually get there by 10). We arrived at C4KK at 10am and they were still here….oh yeah I was UPSET, plus the principal actually called at 10:10 to ask why they weren’t at school! This seemed to emphasize to me these kids just don’t seem to care or appreciate what they have been blessed with!
Once we had a talk with them and sent them on their way I then received the following text from a student we help with secondary school fees. He doesn’t live at C4KK but lives with his father (mother died a few years ago) who is trying to send his daughter to secondary school and feeding the other four children in the family:
“Thank you very much parents! May God provide for you with extra and much blessings be upon you until we meet in the God’s wishes. I will put much efforts than before to at least achieve my goals in future. Have a wonderful time as you dwell within this country, Kenya.”
Thank you Father for these two affirmations and encouragements! I’m certainly not perfect at saying thank you to God for everything He has given me and I know part of my job as a parent is to teach our kids what it means to be humble before the Lord and thank Him for His grace, mercy and love and to be appreciative of all He continues to provide us on a daily basis.
Perhaps when a couple of these kids turn 21 I’ll also hear from them what I heard from Amanda “I am who I am thanks to the love and support that i got from you guys all my life.” Kind of like well done, good and faithful servant!