street in front of the
YMC building where
the majority of the squad has been staying thismonth. Moments before meeting Arvin, I had
been having a conversation about the Lord’s affection for his children.
I asked myself, “How
does the Lord show me He loves
me?”
“What would it feel like to
receive a hug from God? Is that even
possible?”
The answers to my questions came much quicker than I
had
intended and in quite unexpected ways.
Arvin came running up… and when he
runs – he runs. Nothing was going to stop him… he was on
a mission. He jumped into my arms
and embraced me. HE DIDN’T LET GO
FOR at least 15 minutes. No, I’m not kidding.
doesn’t ever let go?
the
Lord. You see, Arvin rarely utters
a word. He shows most of his love
through touch. Arvin is teaching
me that love is not something that you can only show verbally
Lord, why would you let a super cool
kid named, Arvin, from
the Philippines, teach me about the way you hold me? You don’t
ever let go… do
you?
I know I crawl in and out of the your arms. I don’t
want to
do that anymore…
Lord, I desire for my heart to be content and
resting in
your arms everyday. 
“I will not
forget you! See, I have engraved you on the
palms of my hands.”
-Isaiah
49:
15-16
This was only the beginning of what the Lord would
teach me
through Arvin.
I was sitting on the porch at the YMC a
few days later. Once
again, pondering. I was beginning
to write in my journal and wanted to let God know I was sorry for
disappointing
him… pretty much, I was giving myself no grace.
You guessed it, moments later, Arvin walks up…
He immediately starts coloring in my journal.
Trying to
distract me. The Lord obviously told him that I was lamenting. As I
continue to
write and refuse to give up my self-pity mode, Arvin goes and hides
behind a wall
beside me. Quickly covering his face. He starts peeking through his
hands (head
hung low)… then once again the Lord spoke to me through a little
guy that
rarely makes a sound.
Lord through Arvin’s expression: ”
Emily, quit apologizing
to me… know you’re sorry already. I have forgiven you. You
don’t have to be ashamed. Be strong and rest in my LOVE.
Give it up. Stop it. Every time you do this to yourself it breaks my
heart.”
Me: Okay, Lord.
I get it… I get it. (Arvin
lifts his head… kisses my cheek and goes on his merry way!)
Lord to me: Well, Emily, now that
you get it… live your life
embraced by my perfect love everyday.
That was only lesson two. The list of
lessons through Arvin this month have been
endless… definitely all encounters have been divine appointments.
Seriously, I don’t want to be selfish but I know
this little
guy has something
HUGE TO SAY.
Maybe it will never be through his words… I don’t know. God
only knows
His will for Arvin’s life. It’s
been a blessing to watch Arvin gaze with curiosity about world around
him. He
is so in tune with what is going on in his community & his family.
God is so perfect, He knew I needed to
receive these many simple lessons about HIS LOVE & HIS GRACE
through a
child that rarely speaks. That way, I have
no way of arguing back
or questioning the little guy.
