I wrote this in my journal after an experience leaving Wal-mart and thought it was something to be shared. Enjoy:
“Dear God,
I thank you for speaking to me. I love when you guide me to “pay attention” moments. I was just praying about a situation I came across a few days ago that as soon as it happened, I knew there was a deeper meaning to be found. I was coming out of Wal-mart and it was nightime and a little rainy. I just stepped out of the doors. I see this little boy, probably about 2-3 years old, sitting on his daddy’s shoulders, and the boy is just looking at every person in site waving and saying, “HI! HI! HI! HI! HI!” over and over again with a huge smile on his face. He was so cute, I couldn’t help but smile and wave.
I was just praying, currently on a flight to Florida, and that scene came back so I decided to pray about it. You started feeding me with insight and I love it! First, you asked me to notice how i felt: I felt overjoyed, it made my heart leap with happiness that this little boy was so excited to say Hi to me. I felt acknowledged and encouraged. Then you turned me towards focusing on how this little boy was able to do this. You spoke about his innocence, no fear of rejection because he was clearly loved by his family and society had not yet engraved rejection into his heart….he had no walls built up. He valued and respected every person he saw and wanted to know them or at least let them know they were important enough to be greeted. Then you asked me, “and how was he positioned?”. He was on top of his father, fully supported, legs off the ground and dangling, clinging to his shoulders with one hand. What a great picture of fearlessness and love. You, as our Father, give us Your support, Your shoulders, every day. But how often do I actually climb aboard? How often do I join in on what you are already doing, how You are already moving during that day? What holds me back from talking to a neighbor, stranger, or acquaintance is fear of rejection that they may thinking I’m weird because i’m smiling and saying hi to them. Or is it because I’m scared I wouldn’t be able to carry out the conversation. Why try because it’s so much more comfortable on the ground level that I’m used to. It’s way less scary than being lifted up and exposed (vulnerable to others). God, you are so good. You loved your children so much that You yearn for us to hop on Your shoulders every day. You want us to fearlessly trust You so that we can acknowledge the goodness of others by even a simple act of greeting. You will use us when we jump on board, fully supported and guided by You. I pray that I can daily allow You to sweep me off my feet and allow them to dangle: allowing You full power to take me wherever and to whoever You would lead knowing that despite rejection, pain, or any misfortune that may come my way, I can find rest and comfort by gripping on to your shoulders. Did I mention it was also dark outside, but that little guy shone as bright as the day. Warm, genuine love will always cast out darkness. That little boy’s boldness and excitement for welcoming others shone a great warm light into me that left me giddy. I pray that my life may mimic that little boys’ fearlessness and love. Thank you for never ceasing to want to teach me. I love learning from You.
Love always,
Your Heidi”
