The round, chocolate brown eyes were
glistening
as the little Dominican girl's Spanish
energetically flowed from her lips when she
stretched out her hand to me.
A hand reaching out for mine
A heart open
to give
and to receive
love.
My ever-present little helper stayed at my
side throughout the week.
Sweeping endless hallways, fetching paintbrushes for the
other workers, finding missing waterbottles and sunglasses,
moving chairs, and rearranging classrooms,
Francesca
happily worked and filled the rooms with
laughter
and light.
A hand reaching out for mine
A heart open to give
and to receive
love.
The days flew by,
and the time was gone far to quickly.
It was dark outside as we watched the movie in our plastic chairs.
Her brown hand grasped mine as she stared with anticipation at the movie screen.
The film concluded,
and it was time to go.
But this time, when she asked if I would be back tomorrow,
I had to tell her no.
I would be going on an airplane over the ocean
back home.
Her face looked sad as she did not want to believe it.
"Adios, amiga. No te olvidarè." I told her.
(Goodbye, friend. I will not forget you)
Her hand stretched out one last time,
and she gave me a hug.
A hand reaching out for mine
A heart open to give
and receive
love.
I looked at the little girl,
and my heart was aching as the warm tear
slipped
down my face.
"For Christ's love compels us,
because we are convinced that one died for all,
and therefore all died.
And he died for all, that those who live
should no longer live
for themselves
but for
him
who died for them
and was raised again"
(2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
Her heart was open.
She, with a heart embracing others and her two little hands
warmly outstretched,
left my heart convicted:
love crosses barriers,
opens doors,
heals wounds,
comforts hurts,
and brings light.
An outstretched hand that
is willing to help,
is desiring to come with on the broken road,
and will pick the fallen
gives hope and life.
Christ's love, reflected in this little girl, is compelling,
urging to live a life with
a heart open
and arms outstretched
welcoming all who come.
Lord, give me your eyes to better meet the needs
of those around me.
Grant me your heart to fully embrace them.
Thank you for the
two little hands
on an island in the Caribbean.
"Adios, amiga. No te olvidarè."
© 2013 Deborah Hope Shining
1 comments
Wow! Loved it. Thank you! love Grammy
ReplyDeleteI definitely don't want this to be a monologue. What are your thoughts? Questions? Ideas?