As this teacher learned, some of the most moving lessons are taught by students. (From Reader’s Digest, 9-21-21.)
When Mrs. Klein told her first graders to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful, she thought how little these children, who lived in a deteriorating neighborhood, actually had to be thankful for. She knew that most of the class would draw pictures of turkeys or of bountifully laden Thanksgiving tables. That was what they believed was expected of them.
What took Mrs. Klein aback was Douglas’s picture. Douglas was so forlorn and likely to be found close in her shadow as they went outside for recess. Douglas’s drawing was simply this:
A hand, obviously, but whose hand? The class was captivated by his image. “I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food,” said one student.
“A farmer,” said another, “because they grow the turkeys.”
“It looks more like a policeman, and they protect us.” “I think,” said Lavinia, who was always so serious, “that it is supposed to be all the hands that help us, but Douglas could only draw one of them.”
Mrs. Klein had almost forgotten Douglas in her pleasure at finding the class so responsive. When she had the others at work on another project, she bent over his desk and asked whose hand it was.
Douglas mumbled, “It’s yours, Teacher.”
Then Mrs. Klein recalled that she had taken Douglas by the hand from time to time; she often did that with the children. But that it should have meant so much to Douglas….
Perhaps, she reflected, this was her Thanksgiving, and everybody’s Thanksgiving—not the material things given unto us, but the small ways that we give something to others.
I pray you have a thankful heart this Thanksgiving season and throughout the New Year. The Lord is good!
This Sunday, November 24, Honolulu Assembly of God will celebrate “50 years of Aloha!” with a 10:00am service (early start time for this Sunday only) featuring our very special speaker, Pastor Renee Lo. Please invite someone to join you for this great celebration as we declare the Lord’s faithfulness and give Him all the praise – in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us.
Note: If you are joining us in person this Sunday, please arrive early as we are anticipating a full house for the 50th anniversary celebration and parking is limited. If you have already reserved a place for the meal, you will receive a ticket when you arrive. Only those with tickets will be able to stay for lunch.
Immediately after the service on Sunday, December 1, we will “Deck the Halls” by decorating the building for Christmas and then together enjoy a delicious lunch together. (Lunch is provided, so you don’t need to bring anything that day.)
Our 13th annual Christmas Lunch and Treasure Trade for women and children is Saturday, December 7, at 11:30am. Donations of new toiletries plus children’s games and toys are welcome by Thursday, December 5. Tickets are available at Sunday services or by calling the church office. (Tickets are free and help us know how many to welcome.) Our December Drive-Through Prayer outreach in the parking lot happens that same day from 11am-1pm.
Aloha ke Akua!
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