At Kids Alley we could provide programs of excellence, which we strive for but without love they would be nothing.

I have the privilege every day of watching my staff love on the children and the parents. They value each child and adult. We know that we are all created in the image of God and we attempt to live that out each day. What so often isn’t seen, is the patient, caring, love that sits in another person’s trauma, hurt, and pain and offers hope.

Here are just a few glimpses of the heart work that goes on behind the scenes:

The child screaming and angry over a minor occurrence. There seems to be no logical reason, but we know there is so much hurt and pain inside and we need to help the child navigate the real problem. We look beyond the behavior and ask “how can I help” or “what is going on at home, at school?” We sit in their pain with them and help them find healthier ways to deal with it. This takes time, patience, and love.

The mom sobbing because her son’s progress report is showing failing grades. She did not graduate and she speaks a different language. She feels hopeless. She wants more for her child, but she can’t help. We sit and listen. We called the school and found out what we could do to help. We go to parent-teacher conferences. We walk the path with her.

The boy runs out of the room angry, refusing to do what he is supposed to do. I follow him till he crumbles in a corner with his head buried. I sit on the floor with him, assuring him we care and want to help. I wait till he is ready to talk.

Another distraught mother, who because of language barriers thinks her child is being given an IEP and transferred to another school and she thinks it means he is retarded. She sobs until we explain that he is okay. These steps will help him to succeed.

We drive one parent to the laundromat, and supply the money and the detergent, so she can wash a month’s worth of dirty clothes, due to a government mistake that left her without money for the entire month. We also provide some food to get her through the week.

Our Learning Center Director buys a belt for the boy who is wearing pants that are four sizes too big, but they are the only school pants he has. He walks through his day, holding his pants up.

We have earned the trust of the children and their parents. Many of them have been hurt and beaten down. We listen to their stories. We sit in their pain and their plight. We talk about a plan to change things and how to move forward. We provide for what physical needs we can while loving them and encouraging their soul.

These are some of the scenes that no one sees. It is hard at times, but it is a privilege to be invited into their story, to love them, and value them for who God created them to be, to encourage them that they are valued.

Our works of service are important, but without love they are nothing. We never want to be just a clanging gong. We want to love others as Jesus loved us. (John 13:34)