Lessons From the Edge

Eeny, meeny, miney, moe. Which lesson should I pick to post?
This week contained so many "teachable moments" at Edgewood. It's hard to pick which one I want to share with you!
But, alas, I shall choose...

Whenever possible, speak into a young person's life.

This week at Edgewood, we had the pleasure of being visited by a small group of home-schooling moms and their children. They came in Monday afternoon with treats and games and lots of smiles, and filled the atrium with delight for all of us.
It was especially sweet to see a few of our ladies passing around a baby. They each were loving the opportunity to hold a little life in their arms. I'm sure I heard lullabies being sung, too.
As I was bustling around the atrium getting chairs, answering questions, snapping pictures, and all the other little things an activity director does, I couldn't help but notice L. L is a little girl, about 10 years old, who was among the children visiting with our community members. I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable she was in her interactions with each of them. Even with some who are a little more difficult to understand. L was polite and animated and kind and warm. She had a way of relating to the men and women at Edgewood like none I've ever seen in a 10-year-old young person before.
The first thing I did was find L's mom, so I could share my observations with her. Because I think it's important for moms to hear good reports about their children...
And the second thing I did - just before the group left us Monday afternoon - was to call L over and have her sit down in front of me. I looked into her eyes and said, "L, I've been watching you here today, and I think God has given you a special gift. I think He has made you able to care for people and to love them well. I hope you will keep doing that for the rest of your life."
The smile on her face was a treasure to behold. But the greater joy for me is the hope that L will hold those words in her heart and remember them throughout her life. That God will use my words to encourage L to keep on loving. That when L walks into a day where she's feeling discouraged and unlovely, she'll remember "that lady" who saw something remarkable in her young life - and she'll choose to love.

Whenever possible, speak into a young person's life.

Disclaimer: The ideas and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and may not necessarily reflect those of Vista Springs Living Centers.