Shine A Little Joy

I like kids. They are inquisitive and don’t have all the baggage that adults seem to come with.

I was tired. I hadn’t gone to bed early the night before and I wanted a nap. I didn’t even want to stop anywhere for errands but I know I should since it was on my way. After stopping by the fruit stand I was driving through a back alley and spotted two disheveled little girls playing in the dirt outside a rundown home. Out of a seemingly bleak situation, the older girl turned up her head and her dirt-covered hands waved at me. I just saw God in and through her as I smiled and reflected her actions. How often do I go out of my way to shine a little joy?

Then a few minutes later I pull my car onto the kid infested neighborhood street and park my car at my home. A 6th grade girl always says, “Hi Shelley” and just those few words as she whizzes by on her bike or rollerblades just gives me a sense of belonging. She is the only one that I really know b/c she makes the effort to chat with me. She came up with two other girls who are sisters. Then they ask where I live and are trying to sort out in their mind why I live with people who aren't my family.

“What happen to your home?” one little girl inquires.  The questions kids have are good ones.  When I tell them I rent from the family, the older girl bluntly asks, “How much do you pay them?”  I pause trying to think of what to say when the youngest girl interjects towards her, “That’s none of your business!” and I laughingly rely, “Yea, that’s right!” I explained to them that I pay them b/c it costs money for utilities.

Of course they asked my age, saying, “Are you like 20 or something”? When I said I was 30 yrs old they were all a little shocked saying I looked so young…well, a week doesn’t go by that I don’t get a comment like that from someone, even kiddos!

I’m reminded to pause. To take time for others, even children. To not let my own desires get in the way. We all need a little joy...I found mine today.