Little lesson

He entered the room with the quiet assuredness of a man in charge. Walked right past me, in his flashy shoes, towards the bookshelf and pulled from it two of his favorite readings. Making himself comfortable on the couch in the corner of the room he sat and flipped through the pages as only one familiar with the content would do. His blue eyes occasionally peering upwards to see the next person coming through the doorway. He involved himself in the setting throughout the hour but always returned back to that reading area. And then she entered. Long blonde hair and a brilliant smile. She herself appeared to walk with confidence. She headed toward the computer.

She sat down in the plastic chair and began working on that computer. Suddenly it was as if all the air, along with her confidence, was let out of this gal. She sat in frustration and cried out, "I can't do it." Her frustration with the computer screen and mouse obvious to all in the room. Then the quiet young man in the corner of the room left behind his books and walked over to the computer desk. He pulled up a chair next to her and sat down as she continued busily trying to figure out the computer program. She voiced again, with more volume, "I CAN'T DO IT!" He gently looked at her and said, "You can do it; I will help you."

Sound like the beginnings of a love story? Of sorts, it was. For this was the love of Jesus that this little boy reads and hears about. Our hero's name? Will. Will is a three year old in my Sunday school class. This young "reader" and student had taken to heart the Good Samaritan story that he had just heard during the first hour of Sunday school. The group of young learners had all shared different ways, in their all so entertaining style, that they too could be kind to others. But Will? Will had taken this story one step further. He sat down next to a tired, frustrated preschool girl and offered kindness. Encouragement. Help.

It was the most beautiful picture of LOVE in action. As I watched this precious young one offer assistance, and later remembered this act, I could almost hear the Savior say to me in my own moments of frustration, "You can do it, I will help you." Little do we know who or what God will use to teach us a lesson. Sunday it was Will.

Galatians 6:10: " Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Praise Him!

Cops and Robbers

It was a muggy Monday afternoon as Molly and I headed back into the parking garage at the hospital. We had just spent a short but enjoyable thirty minutes visiting one of our loved ones. We were walking side by side, arms linked, giggling and chatting our way back to the car. I unlocked the car as I came around the tail end of it and noticed my window. Instantly I realized that something was wrong. I knew I hadn't left my window down. Then I noticed the thousands of shards of safety glass at the foot of the door and knew what had happened. We had been robbed. Yup. Robbed.

I peeked inside where we had hidden both our purses and they,along with two phones, were gone. My seat was covered in the same glass I first noticed outside my driver side door. We glibbly marched our way together back into the hospital to find a security guard. No more giggling.

I have to admit, my first reaction was shock. The second was anger, followed by fear. It was then that Molly and I decided we must forgive. We spoke to each other about what it must take to steal. Hunger. Sick children. Any number of reasons. We hoped out loud that the money would be used for good. Somehow we thought that would make us feel better about the episode. Somehow it didn't.

After what seemed like hours(it wasn't)the police arrived. I was expecting to watch him dust for prints or search the stairways. To my disappointment all he did was take down the information and fill out a report. He then told me "You should plan on leaving everything except your driver's license at home next time you come. Never leave your purse in the car. If you bring it with you, lock it in your trunk." The smarty pants in me thought "well, thank you but I already knew that!" But I thanked him and headed home, slivers of glass poking into my toes and elbows.

This morning as I sat and had my quiet time I was still venting to the Lord about this thing. And truthfully I thought again about what the policeman said to me. I did know I shouldn't leave my purse locked in the car, even if it was out of sight. But I did it anyway. Somewhere in my spirit I felt the Lord reminding me that I can say whatever I want. I can say "I trust You Lord." I can say "I believe You Lord." I can say "I have a heart for those who do not know the Lord." I can even say that "I know I shouldn't ever leave my purse in the car." But if I do not act on that belief, then it is really as if I didn't believe at all.

Praise Him!

P.S. In case you are wondering, our thieves first stop with our money....DVDExpress!