I have two fabulous children! I am completely biased – and I’m proud of it! But seriously, they are the most precious people I have ever encountered! Isaac has the most genuine heart and tenderness toward others that I find myself in awe of him, and at times a bit jealous. Lacie seems to be drawn to others – she genuinely LOVES other people – and again, as someone who is more quiet in nature when meeting others and even with the friendships I have, I admire this bravery, this transparency and this sweet heart. They often say that we, as parents, are to be examples to our children. No pressure there, right? :) But today, I find that my kids and I reversed roles as they were resounding examples to me…

Grandma came to town last night and after much anticipation set out with us on the many adventures that Isaac had planned for her. Today’s adventure took us to the Columbia Zoo! Yes, on this nice bright, sunny 95 degree day – Isaac, Lacie, Grandma and I set off to see the wonders and excitement that the zoo had to offer. On the ride there – I put in a Veggietales CD that has all kinds of music on it – ‘Wheels on the Bus’, ‘This Little Light of Mine’, ‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands’ and so forth. Classics from when I was a little girl! Well, along with these old gems it also included several ‘Veggie’ songs – one of which is called ‘Don’t Ya Know?’ The lyrics go something like this…’Don’t ya know…don’t ya know…don’t ya know that God loves you(oooo). Don’t ya know? Don’t ya know? Don’t ya know that God loves you?!’ Very catchy song – once it was over – Isaac immediately asked his grandma “Grandma, did you know that God loves you?!’ When her response was 'yes', he sat back in his seat very pleased – as if a load had been released from him. As we continued on our day, enjoying the zoo, chasing Lacie, wrestling our stroller, and snacking on everything imaginable…Lacie began to get a little tired. Her stubborn nature, however, prevented her from giving into this exhaustion and she set out determined to walk around! But then something came over her – she began to notice – not the animals - but the people that were walking around the zoo. She began by waving to them, peaking into strollers to give her condolences for their being trapped inside, and quietly assessing those who passed her by. Then this sweet, almost 17 month old, began to approach various people and hug them sweetly around their legs. They would seem a bit taken aback, but pat her on the head, smile and continue on. She continued… she went even further to not only hug their legs – often stopping people in their tracks – but she would look at them, say ‘Up’ (to which they would worriedly look to me as if to say ‘is this okay?’) and they would scoop her up and she would rest her head on their shoulder and hug them with such gentleness and genuine love. I heard one man say ‘that’s the first hug I’ve had in a long time’. I watched a young African-American man stand in awe having  totally taken in by this little one. I stood in awe as a larger woman in a wheelchair had my baby girl crawl up into her arms, lay her head down on her chest, and pat her gently on the arm.

What did my children teach me today? What was the example they demonstrated to me? We live in a world that is hurting, that doesn’t fully understand what genuine love is, and that does not know that God loves them! I observed sacrifice of fun and adventure in order that that love be demonstrated. I watched how easily it was given, how quickly it was received and the impression that it left. I watched as it was handed out to men, women, boys, girls, teens. Those who were older and those who were infants; color did not factor in, age was not a boundary and there was a steady, unending desire for everyone to experience it. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. He is my best friend! He has provided for me in more ways that I can count and certainly more than I have acknowledged. He brings freedom from heartache. He is hope! He is love – love without boundary, love without distinction, love that is unending. I am surrounded by a world who longs, but don’t know what they are longing for – and I need to be willing to sacrifice – whatever – to show them his love, to give them his love, to lavish them with his love. I praise God for the sweet nature of my son and baby girl. I am thankful for their example – and I only hope that I can one day share Christ’s love a tiny bit as much as what they did today.

Leave a Reply