What are you thinking, little one?

What are you thinking little one? What are the questions tucked deep within your mind? How I wish you could tell me your fears, your hurts, your dreams. Oh, if I could climb right in and help you find the words that you do not have access to..words that would give me a glimpse of who you really are, of what you really think...and are just not able to be share with the world.

But God knows your heart...your dreams, your fears. He can speak the words you need to hear deep within your soul. He can meet the needs that we do not even know that you have. He can hear your heart...even if we can not.

What are you thinking little one? God is listening..and He will never stop.

Day +47: A grateful heart

To thou who has given me so much... Grant me one thing more... a grateful heart.
                                                                                                                                     -George Herbert

God has given me an amazing tutor...the most least likely of teachers--a little boy with autism and a life threatening illness. A little boy who only gives me glimpses of his heart...he shares his thoughts on his timeline..not when I try to find out what he is thinking.

I must wait...and learn from him when he is ready. There is no pushing this child with autism to tell me what he is thinking..especially feeling. I must be ready to listen when he is ready to talk. Not in my time, but in his.

Not in my time, but in His...waiting on God as he reminds me that His timing is perfect.
A lesson learned.

I must not wait to live...Elijah can't wait to start his life when he feels better or when things are going well for him. He lives each day unaware of all that he has been through. He doesn't spend much time wondering "Why me?" Life can change in an instant...it is fleeting. Elijah He just lives each moment...one day at a time.
     
I want to live every minute of my life...not waiting for things to "slow" down or the kids to get out of crisis. I want to live unaware of what I am going through and remember that no matter where I am and what I am dealing with, my task a Christian remains the same...to glorify God in everything.

To Glorify God in all that I do....with a joy that comes from pursuing God in every moment.
A lesson learned.

God is teaching me to be grateful for all things...Elijah is so happy with his "perfect'" drink by his side...his new found love for drinking water. He accepts the small world that he is living in right now. He finds comfort in what would seem unbearable to most people...a bed and two brightly colored blankets by his side.  He does not ask for much...just a few things that give me peace in  his world. He can not comprehend the deeper theological implications of finding contentment in all situations, but God has given him peace in the midst of struggle. Quietly, but predictably, Elijah says "thank you..." as doctors and nurses come in and out of his room...often causing him discomfort and anxiety.
 "Thank you..I don't need anything..." he tells them.

To be grateful in all circumstances. A grateful heart changes everything...it replaces selfishness, and jealousy..and frustration, and resentment.
There is no room left for these when a heart is filled with gratefulness.

So, Lord, continue to  grant me one more thing....a grateful heart.
A lesson learned.