It turned out to be just the two of us, and we would pick a few kids to pray over each week. I liked how Esther suggested that we could learn from each one of these children, as she would ask God to reveal what He would to us through each one.
As I have pondered more on that, I have seen how I really can and do learn from each of these precious lives, sometimes gaining the most from the "least of them".
Fabiola has taught me to enjoy life even when life doesn't give what we think we deserve. She might have Down's Syndrome, but at 6 hasn't known the difference, is usually the most energetic, life-filled child, with a laugh that is infectious and heart-warming. (She moved to a children's home in Lima last year to live at sea-level where she would have a better life expectancy, and I miss her so!)
These two have taught me that to love includes: to be firm, to have consistent boundaries and consequences (whoo, this can be tough), to show grace ("unmerited favor") despite difficult behavioral issues, to make time for communication, to always praise and look for the good, to show individual affection, and to make time for meaningful moments of fun and quiet times, too.
(Angelina and Fabricio went home to their new Peruvian adoptive family in January, and I miss them, too.)
Guadalupe has demonstrated to me the pushing past of life's hardships, adapting to life's changes with a positive spirit, embracing the good in life with joy and enthusiasm, not allowing one's past to dictate one's future, and to pray in confidence to God for the desires of one's heart until He answers.
(The prayer of Guadalupe's heart was answered in April with the new family who's adopted her with an apparent great amount of love and affection to offer her, including an older sister- also previously adopted. Her enthusiasm for life and sweet smile will stay with me for a life-time.)
Brisayda was born with only a brain stem and no brain and with hydrocephalus. We were told she may live for a few months, or a few years, but the only thing we can do for her is give her a comfortable life. She cannot see, must depend on others for every ability to continue to live. Rigamortis, lead-weight and her heavy head, make it very awkward to hold or carry her. Seemingly, this child has nothing to offer. You cannot entice a giggle or a baby's coo, or even gain the satisfying sentiment that cuddling a baby can produce. But, Brisayda teaches me to slow down, enjoy the moment of now, and that true love is giving with no expectation of receiving anything in return. (Brisayda is now 2 years old. I think I should spend more time with her every week, giving me moments in which I can only hold her, no multi-tasking, and just love).
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| Photo Credit: Alissa A. |
Through the other children in the Josephine House, my short-comings are at times revealed in areas of creativity, patience and consistency... different ones teach me at times to be more gentle or more firm, more exuberant or more quiet.
I like that I learn through these, to be more hopeful, more loving.
Do you let others teach you? Not to highlight short-comings, but rather to inspire, encourage, entice us to be better, to love more, to grow to be more like Jesus?
