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.
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