About five days ago we found out the kids at the children’s home have lice. Typing this, I pause to scratch my head-the mere thought of bugs in my hair makes my head itch uncontrollably. As I found this fact out, I asked myself how playing with them would look. Could I let them crawl all over me as they had done before? Should I let them touch my hair? I sought the counsel of others on my team, asking them their opinions on how to find a balance between staying lice free while still loving on the kids.
How awful would it be, I imagined, to have lice go around our squad
get in our clothes
our backpacks
our beds.
As I went to the children’s home that first day after I found out, I pulled my hair back and covered my head.
I found myself reluctant to run my hands through MaryJoy’s hair as I would have done so naturally the day before.
I prayed furiously for protection from creepy crawlies in my hair.
My focus was more on the prevention of lice than on loving these children as Christ would.
And as her face lights up, her head tips back, and she is overcome with laughter, I realize getting lice really doesn’t matter. Don’t get me wrong, I would rather get Dengue Fever than lice. What I realize, though, is that loving this precious child is more important than my own comfort. Letting her know that she is loved with an agape kind of love-and unconditional love from the Father-is the most important thing.
