He is about 5 and is probably ADD. He is so hyper. Plus he has a temper and when things are not going his way he shouts and hits. He was always with the other two boys his age at the Children’s Home. They were the targets for his punches. They are so sweet we fell in love immediately. How dare he hit our boys!
At first, I found myself monitoring his behavior. I called him a terror to one of my teammates and was immediately convicted. I was reminded of a friend’s words to speak life into children even in the names we call them. After that I realized the only way to stop his negative attempts at attention was to lavish him with positive attention when he was good. Every time I see him I hug him and say “I love you!” When he is angry I hold him tight so he can not hit and speak calming words. Every time I hold him and he snuggles me back I pray against the anger. I pray he will grow into a mighty man of God using his energy in positive ways. Over the days he changed. Or more accurately, my perspective changed. He became one of the kiddos. No longer the terror he was, but one of the Three Amigos with the other little boys.
Then during devotions this week my teammate had the kids write a love note, like a late valentine, to someone else in the room. As we were cleaning up and I was standing to the side, he ran to me and handed me his card. My heart melted. That morning as our team prayer walked the village he walked with me and rode on my back. All day he sought me out.
Every time I tell him “I love you” he says “I love you more!” He gives me hugs and kisses.
Som Nang, “lucky boy”, has taught me much about seeing through God’s eyes and loving as He loves. I’m the lucky one.
I was doing fine loving the kids without getting too attached, but this little guy is going to break my heart when I have to go next week.
