Tuesday, September 15, 2009

how much does it take?

My son once told me he wanted to be a garbage man. He was about 8 years old when he told me this, and I was kind of surprised by his desire. It did not seem to be the type of job that most children aspire to become.

The more I thought about his announcement, the more it made sense. You see, at the time I was babysitting a child and his father worked as a garbage man. We went to church with the family and attended many of the same fellowship activities that they did, so my son was well acquainted with him.

We also were served by some very nice men who did the garbage route for our street. These men would greet the boys and were kind to them.

These men made an impression on my young son. I am not sure if he really wanted to be a garbage man, or if he just wanted to be like these men. Men who took time to show kindness and good humor to a little boy. I think of those men and am so thankful for them. My son does not even recall the incident, but I believe that the seeds of those encounters are coming to harvest in his life. I see it in his soft heart and in the humor he uses with kids, adults and his own family.

How much does it take to make an impression? In the case of my son, it didn't seem to take much. How much will it take for that child in your life?