Wrong, Again.

Well, I had my butt kicked spiritually yesterday by my nearly four year old ...

After spending the morning worshipping with another faith community, Faith Journey, Sunday morning, we went out to eat at Red Robin for lunch. We had a large party, and it was very loud. The hostess keeps a stash of helium balloons for the kids at the front desk, which was right next to us, and Erin had been eyeing a green one for the entire meal -- a long time for her! She was bored, full of spaghetti, and ready to have her balloon, so I took her over to get one (I thought we were getting close to leaving at this point -- I was wrong). While she danced about with her new green friend, I was getting Avery settled, and trying to move our little family toward the car ... our church in Lawrence was starting in an hour, and we hadn't gotten the music together yet. While my back was turned, Erin noticed a girl sitting outside smoking, and she turned to me, excited to the point of bouncing, and said, "Momma, can I go outside with that lady with the smoke?"

My first instinct was to say "No" immediately, but I wanted to find the root of her curiosity (I know, I should really give up that dream!), so I said in a kind of "put out" sort of way, "Now why in the world would you want to do that?"

She looked at me, with eyes filled with that look of "Duh, mom", and said, "Well, she's sitting all by herself, and I didn't want her to be lonely."

Wow -- that one hit me right in the heart. Tears sprung to my eyes, as I beheld Jesus in the eyes of my daughter. I smiled at her and shook my head yes, and she ran out the door. I was a bit concerned, as the parking lot was right there, so I kind of hurried after her, cutting off a woman who was also heading outdoors. I apologized, and explained that my daughter had just run outside to keep a girl company that looked lonely to her. The woman stopped and thought about what I said, while holding the door for me, and then said, "Wow, how old is she?" I told her, and she just shook her head in amazement.

When I got outside, Erin was sitting next to the girl, happily holding her balloon, swinging her feet, and smiling at her soon-to-be friend. I watched, as Erin scooted closer to her and complimented her shirt (it had sequins on it). The girl looked at Erin kind of strangely, and kept looking at her lap. She told Erin she liked her dress. Erin proceeded to thank her and tell her that her mom had got it at a garage sale (Thanks, Erin!), and just continued beaming at this woman. I noticed then, that the girl was looking at her lap because she was holding her cell phone and as she brought it close to her face, I realized that she had an ear piece in, and was just talking into the actual phone. I held my hand out to Erin and told her that we needed to let the woman finish her phone call, and that she wasn't lonely because she was talking to a friend on her phone. Erin smiled, hollered out a goodbye, and headed back into the air conditioning.

The girl, still looking confused, made eye contact with me. I quickly explained that Erin had seen her from inside and was afraid she was lonely, so wanted to come keep her company so she wouldn't be alone. The girl's face melted and she smiled at me. I smiled and walked back inside, fearful of where Erin's next adventure might lead without supervision. However, as I was opening the door, I heard the girl comment to her phone friend, "Oh wow, I was out having a smoke, and this little girl saw me from inside and came to keep me company because she didn't want me to be lonely..."

The tone of her voice said more than the words, and I had to stop again to evaluate what had just transpired. Once again, my daughter saw a need, came up with a way to meet the need, and executed it, in spite of my efforts to detain her. All I saw was a girl smoking (I HATE the smell of smoke and how it permeates everything from hair to clothes to your purse!), but Erin saw her through Jesus' eyes, and took a moment to share love with her. Where did Jesus hang out ... the docks, wells, the temple, with sick people, and among the masses (who probably smelled worse than a little smoke). Where am I hanging out???

As we pursue God's plan for us in Lawrence, KS, growing His kingdom, and sharing His love, I was convicted that I have so far to go. May we all take a lesson from Erin, and learn to follow Him with immediate action and love ... faith like a child.