Helping Hands
“Serve one another humbly through love.”
Galatians 5:13
My granddaughter Julia recently found herself with a free Friday morning thanks to Fall break. Her 10th birthday is next month, and we needed to go shopping for birthday boots. I had already committed to working that morning at the Big Oak Girls Ranch, so I asked Julia if she would like to go with me. I thought that combining the activities would not only be a good way to spend quality time together, but also an opportunity to teach some important life lessons like service, generosity, and stewardship.
“We’ll be working at The Shed and we can always use an extra helping hand,” I said.
“What’s The Shed?” Julia asked.
“It’s the place where the Ranch Moms keep their extra supplies of food,” I said. “It’s like a grocery store in a Butler building, but you’ll see when we get there.”
I was first introduced to The Shed seven years ago when I spoke at the first Big Oak Ranch House Moms retreat. During dinner I casually asked, “How much money do you usually spend on groceries each month?”
“About $100,” replied each mom.
“$100!” I asked incredulously. “How in the world do you feed a family of ten for $100 per month?”
In unison they answered, “The Shed.” The moms quickly explained that different grocers, suppliers, and vendors donate various food products to the Ranch. Those items are housed in Butler buildings at both the Boys Ranch in Glencoe and the Girls Ranch in Springville.
“We just never know what will be available for us to use, but God always provides,” one of the Ranch Moms explained.
Still I kept wondering what The Shed looked like and how it functioned. Honestly, I envisioned a small outdoor tool shed.
Several days after the retreat I received a phone call from John Croyle’s assistant. “Mrs. Evans, Mr. Croyle would like to meet you and wants you to come and spend a morning on the Ranch,” she said.
I quickly accepted John’s kind invitation and spent a day at Big Oak. We toured both Ranches, visited Westbrook Christian School, and met a number of Big Oak staff. Throughout my visit John Croyle shared Big Oak’s story, history, and mission to provide a loving Christian home to children who, for whatever reason, need a second chance.
Eventually I toured The Shed and quickly came to realize that it wasn’t as much of a grocery store as it was a warehouse! And while The Shed’s food supplies are provided by various donors, the manpower for organizing, stocking, and shelving those products are provided by the BOR Auxiliary members. Twice a month, Auxiliary volunteers head to Glencoe or Springville and labor to get shelves organized with whatever provisions have arrived over the last 14 days. This work is truly a labor of love and service for those who stock the shelves and a great blessing to those who benefit from their efforts.
Julia was both excited and apprehensive as we turned onto Shelley Drive.
“Who is Shelley?” Julia asked.
“Shelley is the reason Mr. John started the Girls Ranch,” I explained. “Shelley was a 12-year-old girl who had been abused by her parents and needed another home. Big Oak pleaded with the judge to let Shelley live at the Boys’ Ranch, but the judge refused and placed Shelley back with her parents. Shelley was beaten to death by her parents three months later. The Girls’ Ranch was built in 1988 in Shelley’s memory.”
Julia and I arrived at The Shed and several Auxiliary volunteers were already hard at work. Julia quickly went to work both stocking shelves and making new friends.
Many helping hands made light work as we told Ranch stories and laughed throughout the morning. When we finished, we could all see the sharp contrast of “before” and “after.”
As we drove out the main gate, Julia and I stopped to make several pictures to remember our morning together. Much like the food donations, God had taken our small offering of time and blessed it ten times over. Our trip home was filled with more questions, more stories, a late morning breakfast in Trussville, and finding Julia’s perfect birthday boots.
God's primary design for the transfer of truth from one generation to the next is the family. We most effectively teach His truth across generations at the heart level through relationships that are nurtured in everyday life.
May all of us have helping hands to intentionally and relationally teach and train another generation to serve one another in love for the good of others and the glory of God.