My life has been blessed in so many ways by the children in Celebration Depot, our Sunday school program at New Hope Lutheran Church, Monticello, Ind. This is just one story. When you read it keep these things in mind: no one sent Iain to fetch me, it wasn’t even close to my birthday and Iain usually bounces as he moves.
At this time last year two of our Celebration Depot projects were painting flowerpots and planting petunias for Mother’s Day. This took place in the churchyard near the shed. Several adults were helping with that project. I was in the library watching students decorate a welcome banner for our new pastor, Jim Ward, and his wife, Kathy. Into the library bounced Iain Garbison, a 3-year-old who is blessed with a lot of energy and a mischievous smile. He said to me, “Come, come with me. Shut your eyes. I have a surprise for you.”
He took my hand, and before I knew it he started leading me down the hallway toward a seldom used door. “Don’t be afraid. Just hold my hand,” he said. We took a few more steps, and he whispered, “I have a surprise for you.” We went out the door toward the road, then around again toward the back of the church. He was calm, slow and gentle as he led me. I whispered to God, “This is what trust is like, isn’t it?” We kept walking. “We’re almost there,” he said. “Keep your eyes shut.”
We arrived safely. “Open your eyes!” Before me were petunia plants galore—some of the pots were painted, some not yet done. “Surprise! It’s your birthday!” he shouted.
I’ll never forget that gentle walk with Iain. I received a blessing and a lesson in trust.
If you feel a nudge to serve God’s children, I hope you pay attention to it. But be prepared: Blessings will come when you least expect them, and you’ll receive far more than you ever give.
This week's front page features:
Good listeners: Lutheran agency mentors troubled youth in Virginia. (Photo at right.)
Our blog postings have been sparse this week due to our staff's synod assembly visits, vacations and moving our offices from the sixth to the fifth floor of the ELCA churchwide offices. 
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