A Little Child Shall Lead Them

I was searching through some papers this week and came across the letter I wrote several years ago when I shared my desire to resign my position in my church. I think the story I wrote is something we all should recognize.

One of my reasons for retiring was to spend more time with my grandchildren. In the letter, I wrote the true story of being on a playground with my three or four-year-old twin grandchildren, a boy and a girl. As soon as I read the first part of the letter I remembered the day distinctly. The day was beautiful. The sun was warm, the sky was blue and my grandkids were having a wonderful time on the swings and slides.

My phone rang and I hesitated at first to answer the phone. My position at church was to visit our congregation members regularly, particularly folks who were having a difficult time in their life. I looked at the phone number, but did not know who it was. Our church family was in the midst of many challenging life changes such as losses of family members.

I took the call. Sure enough, it was a woman I had been speaking within the past few weeks as her mother was dealing with a cancer diagnosis. The call was to share with me this day’s tragic experience with her mother.

As I listened to the young woman, I looked up toward the twins. The boy was headed my way. If you did not know Logan you would think he never walked anywhere…he ran! I closed the telephone call sharing my sorrow with the woman who thanked me for listening. Logan gave me a leg hug and looked at my face. He saw something. Perhaps I was looking more somber than usual. He asked me who was on the phone and I said it was a person from our church who wanted to talk to me about her mommy who was sick.

“Was she sad,” he asked.

“Yes, very much so,” I responded.

“Granddad, you should help her, he said.”

He was a sweaty mess but as serious as I had ever seen him. I paused and told him he was right. Earlier I was trying not to let this woman share her grief. Logan’s words brought me back to reality. I was given the gift of listening, and I was trying to dodge it. Little Logan’s face and words changed my mind.

“I’ll  call her again tomorrow,” I told Logan as he turned and ran back to the sliding board.

These grandkids have taught me so much. From this point on, I listened to them very closely. Today, they are not even in double digits in age, but they sure are smart. I am thankful and so fortunate to have them teach me!  We can and should take time with those in need of empathy. May you and those who help be At Peace!