It’s the end of a long day of caring for sick children. No, not my own. They belong to a couple whose Christian volunteer work often calls them away to tend to others’ needs at the sacrifice of some of their time together as a family. I am the children’s teacher and usually enjoy being a substitute parent, but not this week.

“I’m feeling overtired, run down, and stressed,” I grumble. “I’m way behind on the dishes and laundry, and I’m missing a beach trip with my friends to instead take care of a bunch of coughing, sniffling, whiny kids.”

A creak on the stairs tells me somebody’s awake. It’s two-year-old Susana. “What do you need, Susy?”

She pauses for half a second, then runs to me, throws her little arms around my neck, and whispers, “I love you!” Then she turns and runs back to bed.

I hear four-year-old Martin stirring, so I go to check on him. He opens one eye and mumbles sleepily, “You’re the bestest teacher ever!” Something about the way he smiles when he says that…

I think about their pure-hearted love and how they’ve adopted me. I remember all the laughs, the hugs, the discoveries we’ve shared.
Suddenly the mountain of dishes is no longer impossible. I’m not so tired anymore. I remember what Jesus said about loving the little people, “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40).

Tomorrow we’re going to have our “bestest” day yet! I’ll make pancakes for breakfast. I’m sure there is a way to build a three-ring circus in the sick room. And when they reach that tired, grumpy hour before dinner, I’ll just shoot up a prayer for more of the Lord’s unfailing love. And I’ll thank God for the blessing of having these kids to care for.

Jessica Roberts is a volunteer with the Family International in Mexico.