The Lord has allowed me to work with many children in the community of Barrouallie over the years. This is an incredible blessing, as well as a great need, since young people here are often in single parent homes (usually with only the mother). So men who would be role-models and bring structure are desparately needed.
I minister to many young people….
but I only invest myself in those who stand with me.
Investing in this situation refers to a form of intensive discipleship, or what I sometimes call “spiritual parenting.” It involves lots of time, energy, and hard work being poured into the child’s life. I jokingly tell my girlfriend Amy those are “our children” because in many ways I treat them as if they are my 0wn.
Obviously, I cannot have that kind of relationship with every child in Barrouallie! But the sad truth is even if I could, I wouldn’t choose to. Because not every child deserves that kind of relationship.
You see, some children in the community are incredibly rude and disrespectful. They won’t listen to someone who tries to disciple or train them.
So, the wise move is for me to conserve my limited resources or energy and time by investing only in children who stand with me
- Children who faithfully come to Bible clubs, or other ministries
- Children who will listen when I ask them to do something
- Children who treat me with respect
- Children who work hard
- And children who care deeply about me
Basically, I stand with those children who stand with me.
It is true sometimes there are children with special needs or challenges who need to be “loved on.” And in those situations, I have no problem directly ministering to them. But experience has taught me a discipleship ministry works best with tender hearts.
The Lord recently reminded me how important it is to invest in those who care about you.
A few weeks ago, I was going through some math problems with some of the kids. As we went along, I would check the answers to those problems on my phone. So instead of putting my phone in a pocket as usual, I chose to set it on the ground next to me (a very foolish decision).
We ran a little late and I had to get to another child’s house for a reading session. In my rush to leave I left the phone sitting in the road!!!
Now a child who didn’t really care about me would have tried to immediately get into the phone or steal it. But the young ladies because they cared about me once they noticed unlocked the phone (I had taught them my passcode), sent a voice-note to my girlfriend, video-called my girlfriend, and ran down the road to see if they could find me!
I drove back about five-minutes later and within moments found them walking up the hill gasping for air, with my phone safely in their hand.
Folks we are nice to everyone.
but we invest in few who stand with us.
Because those few we invest in will be there for us in our time of greatest need.
Johnhwilburn.com 
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