I know you’re not suppose to have favorites but….
My 6yr old friend, Philiswa, he’s definitely my favorite. I love him. I love his smile. You can see every tooth when he cracks a grin. I love him so much that I sometimes refer to him as “my kid”.
Last month, we were sitting in the classroom getting ready to start our lesson. All the kids were settling in, when an older boy, probably 15, walks in the room and kicks Philiswa in the back, to knock him off his chair. As his knees hit the ground, I felt the anger inside me rising. I am so protective over my favorite kiddo and I hated seeing him get hurt right in front of me. I walked over to the older boy and told him that he needed to get out of Philiswa’s chair; if he couldn’t find another seat, he could sit on the ground. Philiswa had that chair first. After a nasty look, the older boy got up and moved to find another chair in the back. I helped Philiswa get back up, brushing the footprint off his back.
Class starts and I head up front to teach. 30 mins go by and we all stand up to play a game. As I scan the crowd for Philiswa, I see 3 kids taking turns to slyly backhand him on the head. Giggling. Thinking they are sooooooo funny. Tears are slowly rolling down Philiswa’s face as he longingly stares at the ground.
Everything in me wanted to scream at the ones who were harassing my kid. Maybe even give them a taste of their own medicine. But I know that’s not what Jesus would’ve done. So I walked over, picked up my friend and headed outside. He sat on my lap with his head buried in his arms and let it all out. He cried on my shoulder as I rubbed his back and tried my best to comfort him. He understands a LITTLE English but I don’t think my comforting words were comprehensible to him.
As I was holding my precious little kiddo, the sun beaming down on us, the Lord showed me a beautiful metaphor.
We, as humans, are Philiswa. We are God’s favorite. He treasures each one of us so much. Just as I was protective over Philiswa, He is protective over us. He hates when the world around us is “picking on us,” when life seems to slap us in the head. He hates seeing us hurt, by our own decisions as well as things we can’t control. It breaks His heart when we are hurt. He wants to pick us up and wrap us in His arms. We aren’t always receptive to His comfort. We don’t always accept His peace. But He is always offering it. Sometimes we don’t understand, it may not sound like another language.
Eventhough Philiswa couldn’t understand everything, he chose to let me comfort him and hold him. It is a choice that the Lord gives each of us. So no matter what you’re going through, remember that the Lord longs to hold you, comfort you and be your refuge. Ever since that day, Philiswa and I have been bestfriends. The moment of me holding him as he cried definitely brought us closer. He knows I’ll fight for him and love him even when he’s not strong. In the same way, our intimacy with the Lord will also deepen when we trust him to fight for us and love us no matter what. He doesn’t see us as too fragile or incapable, but as hurt kiddos who just need a hug, some comforting words of strength, and a shoulder to cry on. He’s just waiting for us to accept it.
Update: I am getting ready to board a plane to America! My three months in Swaziland has come to an end. A different blog is coming about all the Lord taught me and about the amazing team of 8 girls I had the honor of leading!
I am still in need of $356 to be fully funded. I am past the deadline so please continue praying for the Lords provision.
Jesus loves you and so do I,
Grace Ooley
