Her sweet little voice sparkled across the drab auto-service waiting room, like clear water rippling over stones in a fresh mountain stream…spilling as dappled light over my weariness. Chitter-chattering to her Grandma, she turned her eyes to mine, blonde hair framing her 3-year old face like a soft aureole. I smiled warmly – such a dear little face! – and she, taking it as invitation, danced close enough to touch. “Hi!” she piped, beaming joy at me.
“Hi!” I echoed.
“C’mon, honey,” her Grandma called.
And quick as a falling star, she disappeared through the doorway, her words floating behind her, like so many bits of glitter from a magic wand that transformed my mood.
Ah, children…, I thought. Such pureness of heart. Those little ones that make me want to scoop them into a hug …
The door opened – Grandma and child again. I saw them head towards the candy machines behind a counter. Not really paying attention, I could hear only her excitement. Again, as they were leaving, she caught my eye, I smiled…and this time she came running back to me…as if we were close conspirators… nearly face to face.
“I found it!” she sparkled her pride at me, her hands and feet in perpetual animation. “All by myself! I went by the candy machines, and there it was!”
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see her Grandma patiently watching. I could feel the importance behind the child’s words, like she just knew somehow I was a kindred spirit. Even though I only understood she’d left something she valued and now had found it, I knew she was sharing her treasure with me – a stranger. A gift of trust, so freely given.
I looked into her eyes, beamed back, “Good job!”
Flashing me one more radiant smile, she turned and ran lightly across the room. “I found it, Grandma!” I heard her bubbling over again as the door swung closed.
Smiling, I could feel His smile softly falling over me. The Shepherd who will leave the 99 to go and find His lost one, carry the lamb back on His shoulders, rejoicing that He too found His greatest treasure…. From the TV overhead, news of wars and sorrows still flowed. But in my mind’s eye a heavenly star lit up the twilight sky. I found it too, my heart whispered to His. The gift of joy He’d just sent my way… like soft sunset watercolors painted across my day. And maybe, through me, on hers too.
Peace, soft as a blossom on a sweet breeze.
My encounter yesterday with this little girl was too lovely to let go without word-painting her for you here… She makes me think of Cait with a C, why I love hearing and sharing her young-girl perspective on life, family and encouraging words… and hope you do too… Stay tuned for more still to come with Cait in these pages! 🙂
© Pam Depoyan
It’s moments like these that bring sunshine into a day. Just little moments, but God sent. I look for these everyday, cause they are everywhere, if we’d just look for them.
So true, Debbie. I wonder how many we miss…and how often we miss God’s joyful eye upon us, anticipating our wonder. I want to be more aware too… 🙂 May today bring you a special one that imprints on your heart! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thought!
Aww sweet little girl! She announced over and over she found it, and in the same way the Father rejoices over us. He loves us so much!
Nothing like the little ones to remind us of that, is there? 🙂 Thanks, Kelly!
What a sweet story!
I found your post today on Wise Woman today, and I’m glad to find your site!
Hope you have a blessed day~
Melanie
Thanks Melanie! So glad you enjoyed this simple one… Come again!
So sweet!! I love the pure joy children can bring. They are gift long before the world thinks they have anything to give. Just be being themselves! Thank the Lord for His precious gifts!
So many times when I’m out and about, feeling frustrated or lonely or whatever, some child will just say “hi” with pure delight and I know it is God lifting me out of myself. Nothing like their innocent hearts! Thanks Bethany!
Lovely scene described perfectly! Thank you for capturing the moment for us and relating it back to Him:)
Thanks, Gretchen. Glad it spoke to you today! 🙂
Such sweet words about a lovely encounter. Her words danced to life – your’s too. Visiting via #thoughtprovokingThursday.
Aw…thanks, Kristi! 🙂
So lovely. Thank you for sharing at SYC! xx Jo
Thanks, Jo.
What sweetness! Children are so innocent and precious. Thank you for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.
We need that sweetness more and more in our world don’t we? 🙂 Thanks, Lori.
What a sweet story! I love the pure excitement of children over the littlest things. Thank you for sharing this at 100 Happy Days this week!
They really do live in the moment of delight, don’t they! 🙂 I love how God intersects us in such little moments… where she could uplift me and I could simply be there to build her up with a “good job!” too… Thank you, Valerie.
Divine encounters, moments that impact us, so worth recording!
So true, Elizabeth! I love to look for them… 🙂
Beautiful!
Thanks, Deborah!
Oh, children are the best! Love the story and especially love how you compared it to Christ and the lost sheep. Thanks for sharing your talent with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thanks for your lovely words, Jann! 🙂