Homebound Project

A few of the craft piles on my classroom floor

I am teaching 3rd grade Sunday School at my church again this year. During advent we usually work on some sort of service project. This year, we collected food to give to the students at two nearby schools as well as made crafts for the homebound members of our congragation. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students could choose from a variety of crafts and were encouraged to make one to keep and one to give.

As I sat in my classroom, listening to "The Nutcracker" and the students work while helping and giving timing warnings as needed, I noticed a common phrase: "This one didn't turn out well. I'll put that one in the (homebound) box." My first thought was disappointment and sadness as I felt that I would want to make a really nice craft to deliver to a homebound church member. At first I dismissed this phrase thinking about their young age as I reflected that I would have said the same thing at their age. This stuck with me for most of the day as I realized that I sometimes still feel this way. I thought about what I give away...

3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Food Collection

Do I, like these students, give away my 'rejects'? Do I ever think of giving things away that are still of value to me? Why don't I give away things that I would enjoy too?
This past November, I made two ornaments for my local Festival of Trees. (The ornaments are sold and the money earned go towards Quad City Arts). In that instance, I gave two ornaments that I would proudly place on my Christmas tree. But other times I donate things that I no longer want or need, expecially when it comes in terms of donating clothing. When giving money or time, I'm not giving a 'rejected' item. Based on that reflection, I've decided that I donate a mix of things that I've 'rejected' and things that still have value to me.
I've decided that I will add "focusing on giving 'non-rejects' to others" to my 2013 resolution list.

P.S. I wrote this article about giving for the Big Brothers Big Sisters December newsletter.