A Touch of Takiela: Blessed Are The Children

Last week my daughter invited 5 of her friends to our church. She asked me prior to inviting them, and I must admit that I complained about the large number of girls she wanted to join us. My husband and I would have to drive both vehicles, he and our sons in our car, my daughter, her friends, and myself in the SUV. I really didn't want to drive, I droned on. Fatigued had set in and I'd given in to grumpiness. "Mom, please, she begged, I've been talking to them about God and they really want to come, please?" I complained, I grumbled, but finally I gave in after much persuasion from my daughter.

The girls came over and filled my house with giggles, loud Britt Nicole music, and nail polish fumes. I regretted my decision of having them over all the more. I needed a nap. I asked the girls to be ready by 7pm, church started at 7:30pm sharp, wake me up at 6:30pm I ordered. Okay, they chimed.

We left the house and headed for the church at promptly at 8pm. Late.

On the ride, the girls filled the SUV with chatter and laughter, except one. She gazed out the window while the other girls seemed to be lost in the sound of their own voices. I watched as a tear trickled down her face. She hurried to erase the evidence of its existence. Almost a second later, my daughter grabbed her hand but continued talking to her friends. They held hands the rest of the way to church. My daughter didn't ask her the obvious question, "what's wrong?" As a matter of fact, she continued in her conversation with her other friends while she held the hand of her other girl, no one even notice...except me.

We arrived at church around 8:20pm. In the middle of the testimony portion of the service.

The girls watched as different congregants stood to testify. However, the same particular girl in the group watched intensely. She leaned in and watched closely, bit her nails as the testimonies climaxed, and clapped with relief when each testimony ended.

Finally, the little girl turned to me and asked if she could share a story with the church. Of course, I said. With concern in her voice my daughter turned to her friend and ask, "are you sure you want to do this?" "I think so," her friend responded and grabbed my daughter's hand and asked her to stand with her. This young girl then began to talk about her mother's drug abuse and how she had been taken away from her mother and now living with her father. She went on to explain the gruesome events of her young life. Tears stung my eyes while my daughter could no longer restrain the water that spilled from her eyes. The girl asked the church to pray for her family because as her mother attempted to get clean she fought for custody and now she had to endure an ugly custody battle.

Silently I asked fGod to forgive me for my grumpiness. My daughter knew that her friend needed God and because of my own selfishness and petty desires she almost missed her opportunity. I asked the girls for forgiveness as well. We all hugged. I cried.

I learned something last week, that I already knew, but had forgotten: Children endure many things, they need God just as much as adults and can be used by God just the same.

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Comment by Takiela on May 3, 2010 at 2:41am: Thanks Sara! To God be all the glory!
I guess I never really thought of it like that before, it's true that you remember things like that when you become an adult. Those are what I call testimonial memories, the memories you gladly share with others because it proves that God watched over you even when you were a child. He is soooo good!

Comment by Takiela on April 30, 2010 at 1:06pm: Awe that's really too bad her parents won't let her come to church or Awana. Awana would be really good for her, especially as sort of an introduction to church. It hurts me to hear stories like that, I will keep this precious little neighbor of yours (and her parents) in my prayers. Please keep us posted Jen, especially if anything changes. I'm believing that the love your family has shown her will be the very thing that draws her to the love of Christ. Thank you Jen for sharing with us.

Comment by Jen Cybart on April 30, 2010 at 8:23am: Wonderful story and reminder! I too saw Christ at my friends houses as a child. Those families were willing to take me to church, they were kind to each other and even had fun taco nights! Please pray for our neighbor Julia who is friends with my daughter. We have been ministering to her for several years. We would love for her to know Christ as her savior but her parents don't allow her to come with us to Awana or church. So, we just have those everyday moments with her. So, I pray that my selfish tendencies of getting one more kid's dirt out of my house would wash away with Christ's love. Blessings to you!

Comment by Takiela on April 29, 2010 at 9:02pm: I know Mimi! That was nothing short of the Spirit of God - I was in awe...still am.

Comment by Mimi on April 29, 2010 at 8:24pm: Ugh, I have sooo been there before as the taxi. I forget the heavenly perspective when I'm in the midst of my tiredness and life and whatever else. What an amazing thing that your daughter was sensitive to her friend. Then for the girl to share at church?! That is the Spirit of God moving!

Comment by Takiela on April 29, 2010 at 11:32am: Thanks Suzie and Jill!
You ladies are the best : )

Comment by Jill Hart on April 28, 2010 at 5:56pm: What a great reminder, Kiela. It's so easy to get caught up in little things of life that we forget that in the midst of all the chaos God is moving and working - sometimes where we least expect it. May we each be reminded to encourage Christ-likeness in our kids like you do in your daughter!

Comment by T. Suzanne Eller on April 28, 2010 at 9:13am: Families like yours is what led me to Christ, and changed the direction of my life forever.