Little Hands

I love kids. A lot. They drive me up a wall sometimes, but I love them to death.

I've had the honor of being the lead summer camp instructor at Sky Centers Martial Arts for the past two summers, teaching children ages 4-13 martial arts. Each week there's also a different theme, such as "Ninja Skills," "Samurai Sword, "Movie Stunts," etc., making it even more fun. Unfortunately, I have only two more days to spend with my summer campers before I head back to school. It makes me so sad to think that I have to leave them to go to school again. So in their honor, I thought I'd reflect on my experience with them a little bit.

This doesn't go without saying that I've had my challenges with these kids. I've dealt with multiple disabilities, such as OCD, ADHD, being seizure-prone, autism (on different levels), high anxiety, and more. I've had four-year-olds barely potty-trained. I've had thirteen-year-olds who are too cool for school. I've had children who have never done martial arts in their life. I've had children getting ready to test for their black belt. I've had children who hardly talk, and children who can't keep their mouth from moving. Did I mention that this variety exists in our class every single day?

I've learned a lot as a summer camp instructor. I've become the ultimate lie-detector. I know if an injury needs an ice-pack, a quick rub and pat on the back, or a band-aid. I know when to call a parent, and when to let it go. I know how to get a kid to smile after getting upset about something little. I know which kids work good together and which to keep separate. I know who's best friends with who. I know how to learn something for the first time just ten minutes before I have to teach it to the entire class. I know exactly how each child is going to react to a specific situation. I know how to yell louder than twenty yelling kids combined. I know how to keep myself collected after a child punches me in anger. I know how to stop a temper tantrum. Most of all, I am learning how to love a child unconditionally, because Christ loves me unconditionally.

There is not a doubt in my mind that God has been working through me as I've worked with these kids for the past two summers. There are points where I've broken down crying during our fifteen minute break periods because I was just so overwhelmed by my job. In fact, I've gotten so upset at times, I've actually gotten sick from stress. God has torn me down many times, humbling me in remembrance that I am NOT perfect and will not always succeed. But after those breakdowns, God also builds me up. My endurance and perseverance has increased SO much. My remedies for seemingly big problems have become as simple as Mary Poppins' spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down.  My patience has grown 300%. My love for the individuality and uniqueness of each of the children has grown to a point that I wished I was able to adopt each of them as my own.

God has blessed me with these children. I may not always understand their behavior, and they may drive me up the wall, but there are also moments He blesses me with that makes it all worth it. Moments like a hug and being told I'm the best summer camp instructor they've had. Having a kid jump on my back, even though I told them not to, but knowing that they do it because they want to play with me. Being ambushed whenever I show up during one of their regular karate classes, because "Oh my goodness! SENSEI TORI IS HERE!!" Seeing a kid struggle all summer to walk away from another kid saying mean things, and then actually DO it and realize that walking away was the easiest and best thing to do in the first place. Seeing a child's face light up when they realize that they've accomplished something after a lot of hard work. Having dance parties without a care in the world. Receiving hand-drawn pictures and colored pages just for me. Being asked to watch a child jump off the diving board, because they want me to be proud of them for finally overcoming their fear. Saying bye to the campers at the end of the day and being run at at full speed for a group hug. All of these moments are blessings and are the little things that keep me going throughout each day.

God has blessed me and taught me so many things in so many ways through these children. I will never forget any of them. They will always be a part of my heart, and I will continue to pursue a career, in some way or another, that allows me to pour my heart into these children, showing them Christ's love and helping them to become the best they can possibly be.

Me and my summer campers from last summer!