My ten-year old son amazes and humbles me regularly. I could write for hours on the many lessons he’s taught me, but I’ll just start with the latest one….
Two weeks ago Noah learned about the devastation in Haiti as we sat in church. I had deliberately kept him away from the media coverage knowing that my little humanitarian would struggle with the images of the suffering and destruction. Pastor Marty shared that we would be taking a special offering to send to this devastated country so Noah began to ask me what had happened. Briefly, I explained about the earthquake and the total ruin that was now their reality. I told him delicately that thousands of people are dead and missing. But, even after I did my best to explain the situation in a brief, distant and skimmed over way – Noah began to cry – openly and without reservation. He stood next to me during our worship time, hugged me and just cried. After several moments, I asked him what exactly was making him so sad. He said simply, “Mom, it’s just so sad, all those hurting people feeling so scared and lonely.”
Well, of course it’s sad – we all feel sad about Haiti right? But this is how my ten-year old is different from most people I know….. This is how he teaches me to be a better person…..
Noah has prayed about this country every day since he learned about it – at meal time, before bed and every in-between time, demonstrating that he is keeping the people of this devestated country in his heart, faithfully believing that his prayers will help and be heard. Without prompting, Noah has taken his cherished video games and set them aside with plans to sell them and give the money to Haiti. And today Noah emptied out his piggy bank and quietly, without bravado or seeking praise from anyone, he put the entire $34 into an envelope and prayed over it before dropping it into the offering bucket at church. With his ten-year old handwriting he wrote “For Haiti” on the front while his two brothers’ and sister’s piggy banks still sit on the shelf full of allowance.
So sure, it’s sad to think about Haiti – I pray about the country here and there if I still remember to do so after asking for all the things I want and need each week. And I haven’t exactly figured out how to make a significant donation to these devastated people because I’m just not sure my budget will allow it. But here is my son, diligently and without fail remembering to include this tragedy in his prayers. Without a second thought he’s selling off his favorite things and emptying his piggy bank – giving every last dollar he has to people he’s never met. And he is doing it all quietly – humbly and without any expectation that he’ll receive any recognition or compensation in return.
To say I’m proud is an understatement. He’s an amazing kid and I pray everyday that the world doesn’t harden this beautiful heart of his. God has plans for this kid and I’m so blessed to be his cheerleader watching as he grows and navigates his path.
