Article - PJ's BOX by Jamie Doyle

By Jamie Doyle

Every child in our children's church knows about a place called "PASTOR JAMIE'S BOX". It sits in the back of the room near the door on the nametag table. It is a big red wooden box with a bright yellow sign that reads, "PASTOR JAMIE'S BOX". It is here that as I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off, special communication between children and myself is taking place on a weekly basis.

Every week I go to that box and find camp applications, sign up lists, completed take-home pages and most of all, notes from the children. Notes with "I love you" written out in early elementary spelling. Crayon and marker creations of who knows what, but I know that they are important. Letters of encouragement from both parents and children. Favorite scripture verses written out on handwriting paper. And the most special thing I find… prayer requests.

Everything from, "my dog is sick," to, "my friends need Jesus," to, "my parents are in a fight." From, "my brother picks on me," to, "my grandpa is in the hospital." I've gotten them all. I take them to my office and spread them out on my desk. Sometimes it's just one or two. Other times it's more. There is never, not a prayer request.

It's helped me to be honest and carry through on remembering prayer requests. If a child approaches me and starts to tell me about his uncle who needs a new truck because his other one won't work anymore, I can tell him to write it down and put it in my box. If I tell children that I will pray for thier needs this week and I don't, I could be considered a liar. Maybe that child will never know… but what if he asks you if you did? Then you have to be honest and risk breaking a heart.

The box has also helped me stay in contact with parents and keep meetings and remember important information. If I'm hugging kids goodbye and praying for them after church is over, I'm not going to be holding my calendar/planner to take notes that a parent needs to make an appointment with me. Hugging and praying is the most important thing I could be doing at that point. So, I have a stack of sheets called, "HEY YOU" forms. It's a simple page that looks like a fax coversheet. You fill-in you name, date, phone number, check any boxes that apply to you and write any special comments you need me to know. When I'm done with the kids, I can check my box and make the arrangements according to the "HEY YOU" forms.

I believe that the most rewarding moments are when I receive a note in my box or a word from someone else that a prayer request that has been turned in has been answered or a need has been met. It makes me know that my prayers played a part and more importantly the child remembers that he asked me to pray for his need.

Get yourself a box with a slot on top so others can drop-off those little items that mean so much because you remembered.

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