First Baptist Church of Herndon

You don't know what you don't know

Linda Soller | Oct 26, 2015

As expressed in previous blogs, the Drop-In Class provided the inspiration for this blog series. Every now and then I feel inclined to update you on the status of our eclectic class. This is a perfect time because Sunday October 25th we had a very different kind of class. Some might say all of our classes are a bit different, but this was special. Our new youth leader is endeavoring to help our youth understand the community they live in, and probably take for granted. So she decided they would do a project for the local shelter. The project was making bag lunches for fifty people. The local shelter is run really well and they provided her with detailed information on what to put in the lunches. Next she decided it would be a good idea if the youth worked with an adult class to make this happen. We were the lucky group asked to help, and we jumped at the chance. Turns out only one day in the month of October was not taken when she contacted the shelter. Various groups prepare lunches for each day. I didn’t know that, I figured someone prepared food, but for all I knew it was done there on sight.

The week before I read the instructions for the lunch bags to our class to see if anyone wanted to volunteer to bring in the required items. No peanut butter and jelly! I didn’t know that. Two sandwiches per lunch, two big 16oz water bottles, a fruit cup, but no applesauce, who knew? The class became very animated discussing where to buy the different items and so on. It was really fun to watch. I didn’t know the class would be so open to such a project. I announced we would work assembly line style and wear name tags so our group and the youth could get to know each other better. There were smiles on faces as some said they didn’t know many names of our youth. I didn’t know they didn’t know the names. Sunday’s assembly line process was a slightly loud, slightly chaotic process, but really fun, and very productive. I didn’t know how meaningful such a joint effort could be. The knitting group contributed handmade scarves to send along with the lunches.

The youth leader thought it was time our young people got to know their community and some of the adults in their own congregation. She didn’t know where it would take the young people, or which class would do it with them, or how it would impact the people at the shelter. She didn’t know what she didn’t know, so she asked. One question lead to another and another and resulted in a wonderful experience for everyone involved, including the recipients of the lunches. If you aren’t careful you can walk through life missing out on so much because you simply don’t know any better. The same applies to faith, you may think you have the answers, but do you really know? We don’t know what we don’t know, so we have to ask. When was the last time you asked?

Have a great week! :o)  Linda