More Than Friendship

It was our annual Friendship Club (Ministries) barbeque and my children wouldn't let me forget the whole week before. Grandma and Grandpa had been there early, preparing for our developmentally disabled friends who arrived with just as much fervor as my kids. This year, once again, Herb came with his hilarity-producing games that drew participation by everyone. I wouldn't be exaggerating by saying pure joy erupted in that place!

 

(Oh, how I'd love to post photos of the "Friends' lovely faces but I must protect their privacy so my kids and the "mentors' will have to suffice.)

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Serving our "friends", as we call them at our weekly, school-year-long club, is a blessing that overrides the preparation, time and effort. Our relationship is more than friendship, it's a beautiful dance whereby we embrace ones who understand struggle and move together in the harmony of a God-written song, which blends us in unity. I LOVE that my children have been taught the dance by their Creator too. They'll ever be unified with "friends" wherever they go in life, helping them and being changed by how they help us to understand what true friendship looks like.

Eight, With A Little Spice

A crash in the other room gives me a jolt as I stir the pasta sauce. I freeze and listen for tears, laughter, screaming or all of the above. When giggles erupt, my body relaxes and I resign to the thought that these two rough-and-tumblers need to release some energy after their school work is done. A minute later, Emily and her little brother enter the kitchen by rolling over each other.

 

 I taste-test the sauce and it's just the right amount of spicy--just like my girl. Like gentle oregano, she can add flavour to a group of children who are looking for something to do. Leave her with them long enough and all that cajun comes out and she's got the whole room dancing or engaged in  hide-and-seek in the dark, complete with sound effects so kids can be easily found. 

She turned eight the other day. Does that seem little to you? Because this small package already shares with us her desire to go to Africa, how she longs to live there and be with the people. Last year she told us she wishes she was black and she has dreams at night of passing out food for orphans. I imagine her at twenty and she's not home with me but out in the world, learning how fantastically God created various people groups and how she'll love and appreciate them. She has a philanthropist's heart but I think she already senses there's more her recipients will offer her. 

 

We celebrate her birthday with a cupcake party. Her friends, siblings and cousins ice theirs amidst giggles. She's behaving with wit and sillyness and maturity at the same time. She's the fragrance of a little girl who's growing up too quickly for my taste but I release these feelings with the gentle nudging of God's assurance that He's "got her back". I'm praising God for her life in the biggest way as little voices begin to sing "Happy Birthday, dear Emily".

You amaze me, sweet girl. You are exactly what the Lord had planned when He loaned you to us. I pray you always seek His will in your adventures that lie ahead. I love you, my dear eight year old. Yes, you can finally travel without your booster seat :)

Seeker

We found her this way, at bedtime prayers, all tucked up in her window sill. She was poring over her Answers magazine, taking in more and more evidence for Creation. She has a strong will, this one; they say that quality develops a leader. We're witnessing it already and though it's been a struggle to figure out how to parent this beauty, we are overwhelmed with thankfulness for how she is maturing. That desire for control and demand for reasons for our decisions, have caused her to search things out for herself. Her conclusion? ...that an all-powerful God has created her and designed this world and that she has a very profound purpose in her life.

May you always keep seeking, Meghan, because it will lead you closer to your Maker and clarify the path you are to walk.

Signs of Autumn

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Measuring Worth

Twisted hands, legs unusable,

Feeding-dependent, speech impeded.

Worthless to society?

Contented faces, joyful laughter,

Sparkling eyes, healing spirits.

Want to know God?

Want to know peace?

Want to find purpose?

Spend time with His Precious Treasures

and experience your cares melting away.

These are some of our friends from Friendship Club.

I wish I could post photos of their wonderful, joy-filled faces

to brighten your day, but it would be infringing

on their privacy.