You can't make plans with God. God is so big and so beyond our earthly expectations. The first day I stepped onto the City Kidz bus, I expected things. I expected God to change kids lives through me... I wanted to make a difference. Well, instead God started to do other things - He started to change me. Over the years that I've volunteered at City Kidz, I've been humbled, I've been broken down, and I've learned what love truly is.
I am a privileged individual. I've grown up in a stable Christian home, I've been given the basic necessities that I need and more, I've been blessed. But as a City Kidz volunteer, I have seen homes the complete opposite. Kids living in homes where they don't have two parents to love and care for them. I've seen kids not sure where the next meal is coming from. Growing up, I knew of the downtown core as a scary place, and not the place to be spending time at. God has humbled me to a sense of realization that my city is not defined by its poverty, but by its people. And each of these kids that comes onto the Big Red Bus defines this city.
As each child returns to the bus, their story is revealed more. Their joys of getting a new toy, their excitement of seeing a new movie, but also their pains, their struggles are revealed. Sharing the moments when they were in question when the next meal was going to be available. The moments when they wondered where Daddy was. God has opened my eyes to their pain. He has broken me down to see that they need love.
Christ says: "As I have loved you, so you must love one another". (John 13:34) One of the most amazing things about Christ's love is that there was no conditions. He didn't love just the famous, or the rich...in fact, he spent most of his time ministering to those of "low class." One of the most amazing things I've learned through volunteering at City Kidz is love. Each child needs love. Humans are MADE FOR LOVE. And many of the kids of this city don't get the love that they need. Yet, they still have love and need love and give love. The greatest moments I've experienced are the moments of love. That moment when a child grabs your hand while walking down the ally way. The moment when they run up to you to be embraced in your arms. The moment when they sit on your lap and whisper, "I love you too."
Today, as I walked onto a new bus route, I decided to leave it all up to God. Ultimately, He's got bigger plans. He's got it all figured out, I don't expect to change and lives -- All I expect from God is that He is gonna do some BIG stuff. Cause you know what - HE IS BIG.
