Of Some Having Compassion....

May 5, 2008

Of Some Having Compassion....
Today was my day to sub in fourth grade..a fun little group that worked well. After the initial morning bell , announcements, pledges, prayer and lunch count it was time for Bible. Today's lesson touched on the rapture, Antichrist, judgement seat of Christ, etc. They sat on every word . We talked about the judgement of the unbeliever versus the judgment of the believer. One of the workbook pages asked the children to draw a photo of themselves and then to describe a temptation or a difficult situation and how they could lean on Jesus to help them through that specific thing. I shared a few things in my life...one being losing my dad. Gavin sits on row two, second seat in row two..cutest thing you've ever seen...intelligent little guy with glasses and a story for everything. I said something like " You know, even when things are really hard, Jesus has not forgotten us is with us"....to which he chimed in " You mean like my mom?"...I said "yes, Gavin, just like your mom's situation". Gavin came up to my desk and although I already knew most of the story I listened to every word making eye contact with him ...Gavin said " You know my mom has something wrong with her brain don't you"? "Yes, Gavin, I know a little about that." ( Gavin's mother has a inoperable brain tumor) "But Mrs. Walker" , he continued and he leaned in with fervency " My mom KNOWS Jesus." ( with a look of satisfaction) I said, trying to choke back the tears, "and that's so wonderful Gavin...he's with you and your mom isn't he?" Gavin shook his head yes. I said "But even with Jesus it's hard sometimes isn't it?" and he leaned in again and bowed that little head and said "More than you know"...and walked back to his seat satisfied that he had spoken to me about this matter. A sense of shame ran over me. I still miss my dad and sometimes dwell in the land of "what if's". I was 34 when I lost my dad...Gavin in around 9 or 10 years old and how brave he is! He isn't dumb..he admits this is so very hard, but "His mom knows Jesus" and that's enough for him to rest on. Out of the mouth of babes. Children trust so much more readily that we adults too. When I grow up, I want to be like Gavin.