Be A Gideon

"Hi!  Hi!  Hi!  Hi!"  My toddler exclaimed just waiting for a reply.

The elderly man looked sad as he pointed to the hole in his throat and mouthed the words, "I can't talk." 

My sweet Gideon looked perplexed for about 2 seconds.  Then he walked over to the man, smiled and returned his wave.  I watched as he connected with his newfound buddy.  He never muttered another word, but instead would point to objects that he wanted the gentleman to see:  fliers with football players on them, the TV with Bubble Guppies on it, his water bottle, his shoes, the man's shoes, etc. The sweet man was so kind to smile and nod and look excited over everything that Gideon was showing him. The more he smiled, the more my Gideon beamed.  Far too soon, we were told our car was finished with its oil change.  As we began to exit the building, Gideon waved good-bye, walked out of the door, then backed up and looked at the man one more time through a glass door.  As the man tapped the door, Gideon held his hand on the other side right up to the man's hand...the only thing in between them was a few inches of glass.  The man looked touched and I grew teary-eyed as the lady behind the counter said through tears, "Well, Mr. Smith*, it looks like you've made a friend for life."  (*I can't actually remember his real last name).

It was a beautiful exchange made possible by a little boy who was willing to put aside how he normally communicates to show empathy with a man whose voice no longer remained.  He didn't ask why he couldn't speak.  He didn't gasp or point or laugh.  He didn't shy away from him.  He just noticed and responded with love.  Maybe it's because he can understand on some level.  Maybe in that man, he saw himself.  Gideon is somewhat behind on his speech skills.  He processes much more than he says, and sometimes he grows so frustrated trying to communicate what it is he wants me to know. And while he didn't know the reason the man was in the position he was in, it didn't matter.  He met him where he was at and together they shared a moment so beautiful that even strangers cried.

We all have stories.  We all have circumstances that have brought us to where we are.  In a society where pointing out differences is at an all time high, can we be a Gideon?  I don't mean the Gideons who make the Bibles.  I'm sure they're great, but I mean can we be like my son, Gideon?  Can we just take the time to meet others where they are at with no questions asked?  Can we love on them? Can we pray for them when they aren't even aware?  Can we put aside our well-meaning advice and just listen if they want us to?   Can we show compassion?  Can we look inside ourselves and find that point of connection with others?

Will you be a Gideon this week for my boy who struggles to say what he needs to with his mouth but speaks volumes through his heart?  Be a Gideon.  It'll make the world a little brighter for all.

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

I'm Glad God Made You This Way!

"Why did God have to make me this way?!"  My 7-year-old exclaimed following a frustrating experience at school.

I didn't respond right away.  I couldn't.  I was so choked up that I knew my words would sound incoherent.  I was thankful that I was driving and she couldn't see the tears that were rolling down my face.

How do you explain to a little girl - who is beautiful in every way - that she is perfect just the way she is?  That she doesn't need to be angry that God allows her to have white splotches on her legs and feet because of  a minor, yet untreatable skin condition?  How can I ensure that the confidence she has now won't be knocked down by children who are just trying to figure out their own place in life? How do I help her to rise above it?

As she waited for a response, I prayed that God would give me the words.  Thankfully, she got distracted by something her youngest brother did that was just "so cute."  I smiled as laughter filled the very mouth that had just spoken such discouraging words.

So, to my precious daughter...this is my response:

Dear Sweet Girl,

Do you know what makes you beautiful?

 It's your eyes.  They sparkle with life.  With passion.  With love.  You use those eyes to see injustices in this world so that you can try to figure out a way to help.  You use them to see the lonely one in class who needs a friend.  You use them to see when others need a hand so that you can pitch in.  You use them to see the beauty in this world...in things that this mama would never notice if you didn't first point them out.

It's your mouth.  Those beautiful lips sing praises to Jesus.  They speak encouragement to others.  They pray for the hurting.  They say things that make others laugh.  They utter words of joy and life, compassion and love, kindness and goodness.  They speak a lot and fill this house with energy and exuberance and cheer.

It's your feet.  They're not afraid to walk into the unknown.  They help you run towards greater things.  They lead you to your friends on the playground.  They dance at the sound of music.  They allow you to spin around whenever mommy or daddy twirl you.  They help you to leap into all that this life has to offer and you, sweet one, leap amazingly well!

It's your arms.  Those arms give the most wonderful, joy-filled hugs.  They pick up your baby brother and spin him around just so that he will giggle.  They help you do cartwheels and tumble.  They're attached to your beautiful  hands that love to write notes about how wonderful life is, how people are the "best ever," and how the sign about golf on the side of the road is "really neat."  Those hands draw bright, colorful pictures of you with your family, your friends, of rainbows and clouds, houses and animals.  They express  your creativity.  They pick weeds that you think are incredible flowers.  Those hands grab a hold of your brother's hands - your first best friend in this world - whenever you think he needs an extra dose of bravery.

It's your mind.  You are a thinker.  You want to know all the things.  You thirst for knowledge.  You think about how to make other people smile.  You think about ways to improve yourself.  You think about how we can make sure good always wins. You think about what to say to fill a conversation.  Your genuine curiosity and interest makes other people feel noticed.  That, sweet girl, is an amazing gift.

It's your heart.  You love deeply.  You care fiercely.  You have compassion and concern for the people who have lost everything because of the hurricane and for the family down the road who have lost their cat.  You have a kind heart that beats with love for others. You strive to make other people feel valued.  Your heart beats for all things Jesus, for your family, your friends and for the colors: pink, purple, mint-green, yellow, blue, etc. because  "they're all too beautiful to just pick one."

I could go on and on about what makes you beautiful on the inside and the outside, but the reality is this:  What makes you the most beautiful is that you were created in God's image.  God is good and kind and loving and strong and you are good and kind and loving and strong because of Him.  He has made you with such care that He can tell you how many hairs are on your head.  He loves you so much that He knows every tear you've ever shed. He created you to be like Him and, sweet girl, you are doing a most excellent job allowing Him to mold you and shape you into the most beautiful version of yourself.

Throughout life, this world will try to knock you down.  It will try to rob your joy.  Make you question your compassion.  It will try to confuse you and fill that beautiful mind of your's with anxiety and worry.   But, you don't need to let it.  Never wonder about your worth.  Never question your value.  Never forget where you came from. And always keep being who you are: You are a treasure.  You are a gift.  You are more beautiful than glitter and sparkles.  You are more amazing than double rainbows and large mountains.  You are sweet.  You are smart.  You are funny.  You are kind.  You are the perfect you.  THE PERFECT YOU. You are loved and cherished by so many.  Most importantly, you are loved by the very one who fashioned you while you were still in my belly.

So, sweet girl, why did God make you this way?  Because this world would be so dull if He hadn't.

I love you more than the Target clearance rack!

Love,
Mommy
XOXOXOXO!!!

*And the Target clearance rack is a joke between my girl and me.  She knows I love her unconditionally. ;)