In all my years with working with kids, I can never remove myself from recognizing the reality that each and every one of them is special. A little girl I once met who we'll call Sarah is no different. She's been on my heart and mind today. Every so often God will bring someone to me, and there's nothing I can do but pray for them in every fleeting moment. It's her turn today.
I was only with Sarah for a few days. That doesn't seem like a significant amount of time, but I'm thankful for those few days. I didn't know much about her home life, her family, her fears, but I knew God loved her more than anything else, and he put me in her life to pass that message on.
It was the last day of camp, the day before she went home. It'd been a great week...games and activities, crafts, prizes, and all the other fun things that come with spending weeks with 3-6th graders. This morning we sat in the chapel... the last time we'd be together like this.
As I looked around the room, I couldn't help but be thankful that God gave me the chance to spend my time hanging out with kids from underprivileged or poverty stricken homes. I loved them. I loved having them teach me double-dutch. I loved watching their faces light up every time one of us gave them a hug, or told them they did a good job at something.
I loved laughing with them, playing with them, talking, and at times, crying. I loved the little grins that came when they'd try to pull pranks on me.
My heart broke when I heard some of their stories, but it gave me all the more enthusiasm for telling them about Jesus, a friend who wouldn't ever leave them. Wouldn't ever spend their grocery money on alcohol, or beat their mom. Wouldn't ever abandon them. Wouldn't ever tell them they were trash, but rather that they were more precious than anything that money could possibly buy.
As Sarah sat beside me during this last chapel, we started to sing "Here I am to worship," and little Sarah started to cry. She looked up at me with her brown eyes, and said very softly..."Heidi...I don't ever want to go back home...It's too hard there..." Her voice broke and she started to sob.
What do you do at a time like that? When words just don't seem to be enough, and you don't have anything that can help? Well, you call on the One who does have answers, and then you wrap your arms around that little girl and tell that you love her, and God loves her.
I haven't seen Sarah since that day, but I'm still praying. Still wondering if anyone's told her they love her today. Still hoping she held onto the things we talked about. And still knowing God is in control of whatever situation she might be facing.
Kids are so precious. It astounds me how many can pass them off as an annoyance or a nuisance. Sure, they have their moments when frustration is the only word that comes to mind, but the blessings they are far outweighs the frustration. If Jesus loved them and took time for them, then so will I...
"...just love them like Jesus...carry them to Him..."
