Editor’s note: Nicole Funk is a Bible teacher at the Jr/Sr High.
“For it is in giving that we receive.”
– St Francis of Assisi
The palpable joy and pride on my students’ faces one distant Wednesday afternoon is something I will never forget. Here’s what happened…
Before the start of Senior Seminar one day, I walked past a group of boys talking about cars (a regular occurrence). Several of them were part of Mr. Cooper’s discipleship group, where they’d spent the year learning how to repair cars as a way to serve and bless others (if you haven’t heard of Discipleship Motors, you should click this link and learn more.)
Normally, I wouldn’t insert myself into these conversations because it is embarrassing how little I know about cars. But earlier that week, while getting my oil changed, the mechanic told me something was wrong with my brakes. I was skeptical and unprepared to spend the money it would cost to get them fixed, so I decided to ask these boys for their opinion.
Without hesitation, they offered to look at my car to see if there was anything they could do. With the help of Mr Cooper, they quickly diagnosed the problem, bought the necessary parts, and asked me for my car keys. With some reluctance—and a lot of trust—I handed them over.
These boys proceeded to spend all their off-periods and several hours after school working on my car. I was coaching girls’ soccer practice when they called to say they were finished, and I’ll never forget the look on their faces when they handed me the keys.
I saw unparalleled joy, pride, and purpose.
They had worked with more diligence and excellence on this task than anything else I had seen them do that semester—because this mattered to them. To this day, I still tear up when I think about it. Their selflessness and generosity deeply blessed me—but even more, I saw how they were blessed. They were beaming with pride because they had used their gifts and passions to help me.
They had experienced this deep and lasting truth: “for it is in giving that we receive.”
This line in a prayer from St. Francis of Assisi echoes Acts 20:35 which says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” On my most exhausting and discouraging days, this prayer is a reminder of what is true—it is in giving, serving, and helping that we often encounter God’s goodness and grace.
As someone in a helping profession, I have the privilege of seeing this truth at work often. And yet, I struggle to receive help. That resistance is often pride in disguise. Left unchecked, I begin to live under the illusion that I am valuable because 1) I am helpful and because 2) I never need help from others.
But I’ve learned (partially from these senior boys) that asking for help is not only formative for me—it also shapes the students I work with.
We all desire to contribute in meaningful ways. Our students are so eager to use their gifts, talents, and loves to help people and create meaning in the world. When I trusted these senior boys with something real and important, they took ownership of it—and it changed them, just as it changed me.
This week, while retelling the story to our Director of Discipleship, he said something along the lines of: “Jesus often extended an invitation for people to contribute in meaningful ways.”
The Son of God—whose voice could control the wind and the waves—also asked a woman for help drawing water from a well (John 4). Jesus—who could heal the sick and cast out demons with one word, sends a rag-tag group of disciples to go and do the same (Matt 10). The God of the Universe needs no help but wants us to join Him in His work of redemption.
Jesus consistently gave people opportunities to join Him in His mission. My prayer is that our community would do the same—giving students real opportunities to serve others and join in God’s restorative work on the earth.
May we be a school where students can discover their gifts and use them to serve others.
May we be adults who ask for help and let students contribute in meaningful ways.
May we be a community who knows this truth: it is in giving that we receive.
