I wish….This month one of our ministry placements is at Nazareth, a special needs school. At this special needs school they have various levels of special needs from learning disabilities to down syndrome.
The goal of the school is to help the students transition to a public school with other students.
I want to introduce you to Antonio Jose, clinically diagnosed with autism, Oriolyne diagnosed with LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After only 2 days of being in his class, I walk in and he gives me the realest biggest hug this girl has ever gotten. And I melted, completely absolutely melted.
That morning was day two of rain, the sky was grey, it was hard getting out of bed and my pray to God that morning was for Him to show me His joy, yes I would continue to seek joy in the day but I just needed a little help from God that morning.
That hug from Antonio was all I needed, I felt the realness in his hug, I felt God in his hug, I felt the joy in his hug.
Fun Facts about Antonio:
1. He LOVES pictures (fotos), he could be in the middle of running back and fort in the classroom (he does this periodically throughout the day) and you ask him if he wants to take a picture…he stops in his tracks, fixes his clothes and poses.
2. He is a great artist. His drawings are how I think I can draw in my head.
3. He loves hugs, cuddles and holding hands.
4. He loves painting and clay.
5. He has stolen a piece of my heart and I am aaaaa oooooookkkkkkkkkkkk with that!!!
6. He loves selfies…now If y’all know me, you already know how I feel about this…your girl is a selfie queen and God send me a selfie prince.
How could you not fall in love with that face, his smile, just his love that he has to give and he gives without questioning if he is going to get it back in return.
That’s how I want to love, freely and not wondering if I will get it back, knowing that God will always provide more than I deserve and need. Knowing before I wake up & before I go to bed that God has taken cared of my future, my present and whatever is to come.
I am choosing love, yes, choosing to love the way Antonio loves, FREELY!!, without any hesitations, without wondering if I will get it back in return, loving those who don’t know how to love. I will be their Antonio, who will love them no matter the day I am having, no matter what people think of me or how I look giving love.
Join me in loving, love the people that are hard to love, love yourself with all your imperfections which are perfections, love the way you smile, your laugh, love the life your living, even when it gets tough, love the fact that you were given another day to make a difference in your life and others.
Love like Antonio loves
Love Oriolyne
