Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
I went to Haiti on a mission trip to serve others and I found that I was the one that received the greatest gift. The children in the 4th grade class showed me how amazing children are...how honest, genuine, sincere and loving they are. They loved me without knowing me. They shared themselves with me through hugs, kisses, conversations, small gifts of letters, art work and candy. One little girl even gave me a couple of her hair ties.
It is possible that they have changed my opinion of "sticky fingers' for life. My granddaughter has been here visiting with us for the week. She is 4 and very shy. I have found myself having more patience this week than I ever have. I have enjoyed the cuddling for longer hours, giggled and played more freely and just loved her. That is the gift I received from a very special group of 4th graders.
On this Thanksgiving Day, I am of course thankful for God and His grace, my family and friends and even the dog and our cat. But this year I am most thankful for the lessons I had a chance to learn in a place like Haiti, the team that journeyed with me and the new people I met there. My ego is smaller, I am judging less, my self is less the center, many fears have been overcome, I am more open to others and willing to share my heart. I hope that these lessons AND gifts will stay with me for life. I pray that what I experienced changes me in a way that will lead me to show love to all I meet from this day forward as freely and unconditionally as that small group of 4th graders showed me.
Pretty amazing. Written from the heart.
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