Rediscovering Purpose: Field Trip!

I haven’t enjoyed many great days since returning to California in August. Three months removed from the summer, and I’m still very much readjusting to the new emotional weight I’ve either gained or lost. Either way, my waistline sure feels funky as I struggle to locate the right belt-hole.

Fortunately, a couple great days have embraced me these last couple months; surprisingly, one such rarity of a day occurred on the day that was supposed to be my worst of the year.

Last Thursday was the five-year anniversary of the out-of-nowhere death of my dog, Annie, and yet it was also one of my best days back in California.

And it was all thanks to a fantastic group of 10 seventh grade boys.

I tutor at a middle school (remember?), and last Thursday I went with about a hundred seventh and eighth graders on an epic field trip to the California ScienCenter. Seven gold TMZ-stars to the genius who discovered this clever spelling.

From the onset of this supposed-to-be-horrible day, I was blessed only with smiles.

I was one of ten chaperones for the trip, and when the kids were told to break into groups of 10 per chaperone, I witnessed not one, not two, not even three, but seventeen students run my direction. Apparently I missed the memo that I was the cool chaperone on this educational quest.

Seventeen kids wanted to spend the day with me; that can certainly go a long way toward making one feel a little less depressed and worthless about life.

Sadly I could only take ten of the seventeen eager students, and thus I was called a racist by the seven ladies when I opted to take the ten boys instead. Hey, I just went with the easy math here; call me a mathist, not a racist.

I loved getting out of the classroom and exploring the ScienCenter with these ten boys of “Team Tom,” acting more like a big brother than a pseudo-teacher.

Throughout the day I was reminded of a church scavenger hunt I chaperoned a couple months ago, being placed in charge of some teenagers as we were let into the streets of Los Angeles to check off quirky sights and activities from a lengthy list. Another great day that brought me floods of joy.

Funny how the great days tend to occur whenever I’m reminded that I do indeed possess purpose and worth.

California’s revealed a lot to me since I landed here last fall. I basically left my home of Georgia with truly no concept whatsoever of what I wanted to do with my life. I knew something would have to bridge the gap to publication (and most likely go beyond such a day too), but I couldn’t tell you what God had up His sleeve at the time.

I’ve since learned of my hidden passion for tutoring, and after spending a summer with some incredible students at YouthWorks, I’ve uncovered a broader passion for today’s youth.

I’m probably not the prototypical “youth guy” like my boisterous younger brother, but I think my calmer nature still appeals to kids, somehow.

Despite being utterly exhausted by day’s end, I truly enjoyed my day with Team Tom, from every repetitive button-push and ask for help with their educational packets.

So while I’m still on the hunt for better days, I’ll gladly take and stock this one away for a while.

Thanks boys. You have no idea the impact you had on me this day.