***While revamping the blog, I came across this draft that I wrote (almost a year ago to the day) and never posted. How weird to re-read and re-live. Anyways, I will now post it for your enjoyment. Lets get this thing goin' again shall we?!***
8.20.10
I was missing an essential ingredient for dinner tonight. Motivation. And tortillas. So I took a little walk to the grocery store. Where I found both.
Kennedy is strapped in the stroller and the coast is clear. No refugee kiddos in sight. Hm, perhaps it will be a peaceful little stroll after all. Two steps. "MALEEA!". Nope. Oh well.
"We come with you?"
"No, you better ask your mom"
"I go everywhere, she is OK. She like you. You know my mom?"
"Yes, I know your mom"
"She know you. She like you"
"Alright then" Fine. I'll try not to be annoyed. Where is your mother anyways? Do you just roam the streets all day? Doesn't she worry that someone might snatch you up?
"Oh, don't touch her face" Will I ever be able to walk outside my door with out my child being mauled by dirty hands?
And so my entourage and I walk to Dan's. At least I know they are with me and not being snatched up by creepers, right? I find my tortillas and then show my little friends where they can find the Otter Pops (I simply can no longer afford to be the apartment popsicle lady).
I hear a women on the next isle over yelling at her dog. "SIT!", "STAY RIGHT THERE". We round the corner and I'm looking down the isle for a puppy to show Kennedy. She loves dogs! Hm. No dog. Just a dejected looking little boy sitting indian style on the floor and a nicely dressed mother who is not done ranting. She bends over and says through her gritted teeth "Sometimes I just can't stand you. If there were a cliff I would push you off"
???!!!!
We are far enough away that she doesn't notice us and all I can do is keep walking with my jaw to the floor and my heart in the pit of my stomach. Should I go back and say something? Do you want to come live with me little boy? I will love you!
Then it hits me. It floors me. It stops me in my tracks. It (enter any cliche that suggests epiphany). I suddenly feel loved. Any hint of annoyance that I feel toward my tag-a-long's is replaced with a fierce realization that they are children of God. He loves them. He loves that little boy. His heart aches for him too. I want to scoop them all up and hug them and tell them just so. I don't. Instead, I speak a little more kindly and walk a little more gratefully back to the apartment with them. Boy, is there a lot on my mind.
I am now sitting here trying to type into words the life lesson I just learned. Lesson's rather. For one, I now have another piece of proof to add to the "Wow, I have really incredible parents" pile. Mostly though, today gave me a little more perspective on the pure love of Christ... and a lot more motivation to make sure those around me feel it.
I guess I need a good wake-up call like that every once in a while.
I'm sure the regurgitated version of this experience didn't have the same impact as the live version--but I hope it makes you stop and think about your....what's the word....divine-ness (?) and the divine-ness of anyone you come across.
Xoxo,
Malea
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