Good morning…
“I have another idea that you could possibly help me with,” Larenzia Lawerence from PAWkids texted me last week. “So, I wanted to do some gifts for seven outstanding teachers at KIPP Woodson Park, five women and two men. They help the kids in our after school program so much. I can see in their eyes that they are getting tired and worn out, so I want to encourage them each with a gift. I am thinking stress reliever items from Bath and Body Works. Can you and your friends help to cover the cost of these items?”
We had already responded to an invitation from Larenzia’s mom, LaTonya Gates, founder and director of PAWkids. We creatively, collaboratively put together 100 Valentine’s Day gift bags for the senior citizens living in the impoverished Grove Park neighborhood of our city. What joy it was to stuff each bag with symbols of God’s abundant love! Along with items for the gift bags, some people donated money to cover any needs that arose.
Well, viola, a need arose. Seven gifts for teachers who go above and beyond for the poorest kids in our community, we could do that!
“We could go to the store together,” Larenzia texted. So on Wednesday I dropped off the gaggle of gift bags for the seniors, and I picked up Larenzia to go to Bath and Body Works. We had a ball browsing the store to find the perfect gifts for these well-deserving teachers. I almost laughed out loud when the amount on the cash register added up to exactly thirty-two cents more than the donations we had generously received.
As we hung out for the morning, I learned that Larenzia and her team were planning to honor the seven teachers at a breakfast for the 100 teachers at KIPP on Valentine’s Day morning. I let her know that my friends and I would love to help offset the cost of the breakfast if she could give me her wishlist.
“Hello, Good Morning!!!” she texted the next day. “I hope that you had a good night’s rest. I had to change some of the things for the KIPP staff breakfast. Here’s the list of things I need to purchase.”
5 gallons of orange juice – $40.00
Food from Flying Biscuit – $400.00
Fruit from Restaurant Depot – $200
5 coffee boxes from Dunkin Donuts – $150
I reached out to the women in the book studies that meet at our home and the homework helpers who know and love the kids served by these teachers who are stretched so thin. No obligation, no pressure, but with a cheerful heart some women gave, enough to cover Larenzia’s wish list. Right before my eyes I witnessed the divine dynamic again: as we each give a little, God does a lot!
Larenzia invited me to come to the breakfast this morning to witness the love of God poured from our hearts into lives of 100 selfless teachers. To be honest, I am nervous. I don’t know where the school is. I don’t know where to park. I don’t know anyone but Larenzia. I don’t have the same skin color as most of the people. I don’t know what to expect. I don’t know how it will feel to be “the other” “the stranger” in a tight crowd of teachers. It would be easier to stay home, much easier to stay home, to get ready for my morning Zoom meeting and my afternoon class.
Now I think of the book we are reading this semester, Paula D’Arcy’s Sacred Threshold: Crossing the Inner Barrier to a Deeper Love. I open to page fourteen and I reassure myself with Paula’s inviting words.
“Throughout history exceptional men and women have made daring choices in order to ensure freedom from oppression and to correct societal ills. But what would change for this world if a critical mass of men and women began to reach for a truer love and a greater freedom primarily for the sake of the human heart, for the evolution of humankind? What if we approached our life span in a greater way? What if we glimpsed and actualized the power that lies within us and yielded to its force? Became its channel? Became committed to grasping other hands in ours and reaching together toward everything we already are?”
Somehow, for me, simply stepping over the threshold of KIPP Woodson Park Academy today feels like reaching for a truer love and a greater freedom for all of humankind. As I cross some inner barriers that keep me safely separated, I begin to glimpse the power within all of us. As we yield to its force, we become a living channel for the abundant love of God.
Go back to your homes, and prepare a feast. Bring out the best food and drink you have, and welcome all to your table, especially those who have nothing. This day is special. It is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve over your past mistakes. Let the Eternal’s own joy be your protection! (Nehemiah 8:10, VOICE).
…Sue…
P.S. On this special Valentine’s Day, thanks to all of you who have tangibly helped to bring to life the deeper, wider love of God.
Those donating time and items to fill 100 Valentine’s Day gift bags for senior citizens – Corinne Adams, Martha Tate, Tom Tate and Rosie, Joan Alexander, Diane Pyles, Allison Rollins, Caroline Shiverick, Susan Dutson, Vicki Hall, Pam Wamberg, Molly Monk, Erin Yabroudy, Sandra Garrett, Bette Hines, Sue Allen, Ella Herlihy, Melinda Servick, Laura Deisley, Suzanne Howard, Julie Weiderman, Victoria Wolle, Ester Garges, Robin Gleason and her daughter Lauren, Lisa Rieves and The Front Porch of Vinings staff
Those donating to cover cost of seven teacher gifts – Jean Young, Diane Farmer, Lisa Wargo, Allison Rollins, Bette Hines, Mae and Lisa Wyatt
Those donating to cover cost of serving breakfast to 100 KIPP teachers – Debi Wilson, Martha Kimbel, Margaret Kaufman, Leslie Hale, Brooke LeBow, Molly Monk, Suzanne Howard, Cindy Price, Diane Pyles, Melinda Servick
Those contributing to or attending tonight’s Valentine’s Day party with the PAWkids students – Brooke LeBow, Corinne Adams, Molly Monk, Leigh Jones, Debi Wilson, Sue Allen, Kate Kemether, Rhonda and Bill Rowland, Lisa Rieves and The Front Porch of Vinings staff
We all feel the Eternal’s own joy as we grasp other hands in ours, reaching together toward everything we already are!
