A Little Child Shall Lead Them

I started a new "job" a month or so ago and I now have the privilege of helping with a before school child care program a couple of times per week.   It has been rather eye opening for me to realize the difficult home situations so many kids come from.   I hear kids referring to "my mom's boyfriend," or making statements like "I'm going to my dad's this weekend, or "My other mom was in a car accident."  

One little girl named Izzy arrives rather distraught quite often.  She keeps her little backpack close beside her and often sits in a corner by herself unwilling to relate to anyone.  Her dad left the house last spring because of a drinking problem and she hasn't seen him since.  One day she came in very out of sorts.  She curled up in the little shelving space immediately inside the door, crying and refusing to be consoled.   Another little girl, Katie, noticed the situation and would periodically kneel down beside her, pat her gently and reassure her all would be well. At first she received little response.  A bit later, I noticed the girls chatting about a toy Katie had brought over to her.  Izzy's tears had stopped and although still curled up in the cubicle, she was relating well to her little friend.  Within an hour, both girls were playing happily together creating some sort of "play" they then performed for everyone.  Both adults in the room had had no success in reaching Izzy. It took a kind, patient and understanding child to break through the unhappiness and bring comfort.  There were no lectures given...only a soft pat on the back and a toy offered. I learned much that day and saw in a new way what Jesus meant when He said we need to become like children.