Sometime in ministry you meet someone who impacts your life in a big way. They teach you something valuable…life changing. Usually, this is a mentor or someone who you really look up to. For me, it was a ten year old boy. We will call him, Paul. I was with him for a whole month at the ministry I was working at. From the first day, I adorable him, and the feeling seemed to be mutual. For the first week, he would come up and hugs me randomly or hold me hand. We were just draw to each other. Then his friends started coming around, and he was no longer as affectionate. He was aggressive with the other kids, and he had quite a tempter problem. I soon saw that he was a trouble maker, because he was one of “the cool kids” that had to be in charge of everything. He is always cursing and bullying other kids.
But there is something I haven’t told you about Paul. His home life is not that great. His father is not in the picture. His mother has a boyfriend that lives with them that is not the best of boyfriends. And when Paul does anything that his mother doesn’t like, his mother beats him. When I heard this, my heart was broken for him. But then it all clicked. No wonder he was always coming to me hugs and seeking affection…because he never got it at home. Then I became angry at his mother. How could she do that to him and treat him like that? He is her own blood, her son!
Then I realized that I was sent there for a purpose. Not only to give him my love, but to show him the love of the Father. I wanted Paul so desperately to understand that even though he doesn’t receive love from an earthly father, there is a Heavenly Father that loves him unconditionally and will never stop. God is enough for Paul, to heal the hurt and pain in his life. God will fill the void of a loveless family. I wish that I could change things for this little ten year old. He didn’t deserve to grow up in a home like that, but I know that it’s something I can’t change.
I can’t fix every problem I see. God’s way is perfect, and Paul is in the situation he is in for a reason even if I can’t see it. I wanted to take him away or adopt him, but I know I can’t. I have to trust The Lord, and I will pray that he grasps the love that God has for him.
Through this little boy I learned for the first time how to love someone in a new way…in a selfless way.
