Spirit Ball

 I’m not supposed to have favorites—

Really, I’m not.

So…

Let’s just say that there are certain students for whom I have a special place in my heart.

Two of those students happen to be in the same Monday class this year,

So Mondays usually see some heart-warming moments,

And a week ago Monday was no exception.

 

One of the students who has wormed his way into my heart

Is a repeating first grader with ADHD.

He is so very sweet, and so very full of energy,

And so very creative,

Which, according to him on that particular day,

Is because his stomach often hurts and

That makes his brain and hands create things.

 

As he sat at my desk creating that day—

Which is what he does when he comes to class,

Regularly interrupting me to tell me things—

He suddenly said,

“I think I know what God’s spirit looks like, Ms. Deaton.”

Curious to know more, I asked him to continue.

 

He said, “When your dad dies, his spirit goes into a spirit ball.

And he’s with your granddad in the spirit ball.

And you know how you think everything is dark when you die?

You open your eyes in the spirit ball and you see this bright light and it’s God!”

 

He explained this to numerous students as he created his spirit ball.

I didn’t stop him.

Instead, I just listened and looked at him with such deep compassion.

His dad died suddenly and unexpectedly over the summer.

I don’t know if someone explained the spirit ball to him,

If his creativity made it up,

Or if he’s seen the spirit ball himself.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s seen the spirit ball.

God has a way of speaking to children who have a way

Of seeing and hearing God in a way

That adults don’t.

 

So, yeh.

I’m not supposed to have favorites.

But ever so often, a student lodges him or herself in my heart.

This student is firmly lodged.

I think you can see why.

 

Oh God: Grant us the faith of a child. And help us to hold to the hope of an eternity in light, with you, instead of in darkness, alone. Amen.