At the beginning of the month we were asked to choose a child to be our one-on-one. I was willing to be with any of the children I didn’t necessarily feel drawn to one specific child. So I went to ministry that first day and I believe Papa chose for me.
This little girl with the biggest smile on her face crawled right up to me and put her arms up right as I walked in the door. I said, “well… I guess I’m with Selah. ; )” If only I knew then how much I would love her at this point.
Selah has the most contagious smile and is always showing it off. She gets excited about doing pretty much anything. She finds joy in the simple things. She trusts like we should all learn to trust. She is joy.
I work with her Monday- Saturday in the mornings. We have been working on motor skills. We do a lot of puzzles and coloring! I also make her walk a lot. She likes to do this inside until we put her pretty pink shoes on and I make her walk up and down the stairs. She is NOT the biggest fan of this. She will scream and cry every step of the way. I tell her she will thank me later ; ).
She is so smart. We do preschool Monday- Friday and she knows exactly what we are doing -the whole time. Sometimes she can be stubborn, but that is just her sassy side coming out ; ). She loves to do puzzles even when she puts up the pieces to her ear and pretends they are a telephone.
It has been so precious to see her light up and start crawling over to me with her arms up when I walk through the door. She knows who I am and that I am there to play with her and simple show her love.
These children all have so much to offer. They are so full of joy and our Papa’s light. I have fallen in love over and over again with different children we have been working with. I want each of them to have lives to the full. That is what they deserve.
I had never really worked with special needs before this month. I have been intimidated in the past by working with special needs. I didn’t know what I could offer… Papa calls us to simply be willing and ready and he will do the rest. I have found that so true this month. These children fill me with joy. I see Jesus in each one of them in different ways. Each of us could learn so much from the joy they have all the time.
Yes, at times it can be overwhelming but most of all it is so rewarding! This month has taught me so many life lessons I will hold onto. Selah, has taught me how to love in a whole new way. She stole my heart this month.
I am overwhelmed by how my Papa loves me! He loves his children so well. His love for his children has been so alive this month.
