Children See, Children Do-Blue Eyes

This past weekend was hectic and busy.  J was out of town and all I could do was wake up and think about how many hours it would be until the kids went to bed.
I craved adult conversations, any help, visits, planned activities, and by Sunday I realized I had just wished my entire weekend away.
My laziness and loneliness for that weekend led me to being inconsistent with Bram, a little resentful, unjoyful, etc.....

For myself, these are typically the times when the Lord intervenes and opens my eyes to things bigger than myself and shows me what breaks His heart.
"Quit being so selfish, Janna."
"Do not wish away any day because they go by fast enough."
"Daughter, are you even concerned about what I am concerned about?"

Sunday afternoon I took the kids to the park.  The swing that Bram loves was available which made me excited for him.   I kept saying, "Run Bram!  Hurry!  Get your swing!"

Then the little girl in the red sweater caught my eye, she had the prettiest blue eyes
She was probably 6 or 7 and had down syndrome.  She started swing hopping to get closer to Lucy.  Lucy continued her eye contact and blue eyes sat there with only the wind blowing her enough to move her swing a bit.
Every part of me wanted to swing her, but fearful of Dateline popping out from behind the trees and Chris Hanson questioning why I was swinging a little girl that I didn't know.  My fear held me back from being His hands.
Sad.

A group of girls came up to blue eyes and started bossing her around, telling her she needed to get out of the swing, at one point physically pushing her.  The Justice Janna in me was rising to the surface in probably an unhealthy manner.  It only took one "hey!" for them to scatter.

Then Reese came along.  She offered to push blue eyes and kept checking on her, asking if she was pushing too high, or she would like her to stop.
It was beautiful.
It was kindness to a stranger.
It was the Lord moving in children.
I know it is how He desired His people to treat one another.
Reese's dad called for her, that's the only way I even know her name. (yes, kind of creepy)

Blue eyes from there on tried to mingle with the other groups of children.
Finally she found a toddler that seemed interested in her.  Blue eyes sat on the balance beam while her and her new friend were having a conversation and before you know it, the mom came and snatched up her daughter.

Something rose up in me in that moment, instantly from my feet it rushed up to my heart.
  Pain.
  Anger.
  Disappointment.
The moment the mom walked away was one that felt like it was in slow motion.  She didn't acknowledge blue eyes, she didn't allow her child to say good-bye.  I found myself glaring at her as time just froze, my heart breaking for blue eyes, a child of Christ, my new friend.

Are we really raising these children to not look into the heart?  Even as role models, mentors... ..children are watching.  I wondered if Reese experienced her parents showing kindness on a regular basis to others, no matter their  circumstances.
How I am teaching the girls I am with at work, my junior high small group girls, friends, my own children, how I am showing love?  Not just love, but compassion.  Love is the feeling but compassion is the drive.

Children See Children Do.

I continued to watch blue eyes has she walked away with a rush of wind blowing her brown hair.  She had her arms stretched out wide.

"Lord, be her protector and defender.  Thank you for taking a rough weekend and giving me insight on what  is breaking your heart."


Below is a link to a short video that may seem disturbing, but I saw it years ago and it has just stuck and it still makes me cry.  It seems appropriate and worth the watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m25VjD0Uz9c

Thank you Reese.