Grace

If you're an integral part of New Hope you'll be able to replace the blackened square with the face of a sweet and sometimes precocious little neighborhood girl that has become one of us.

All things great and small

I have two extraordinarily sweet little girls I teach on Wednesday afternoons. I'm not exaggerating here - they're about as cute as can be - fresh faced, full smiles, two loving God-adoring parents - just the perfect picture. They're moving because the dad has been offered a wonderful position within his company. I'll probably only have next week with the girls, but am selfishly praying for maybe an extended time (it all depends on finding a house in their new state).

As the girls finished up with their lessons, even though I'll see them next week, we (both girls, a younger sister, and their mom) hugged and kissed with tears of sadness at leaving. But, there was an understanding of the Christ-love between us all.

They left and I gathered up my things to run home for a few minutes to prepare last minute things for tonight's session with my precious Child 2 Child girls. As I walked out I saw one of our Child 2 Child girls standing on the concrete bench beneath the cherry tree singing aloud to herself. I called out to her and she stopped to give me a big hug. The weather here has been bitterly cold. She was dressed in a thin long sleeved top with a short skirt. I said, "My goodness! Aren't you cold??" She assured me she was fine. I'm thinking the good Lord granted little ones with an ability to not feel the cold while out playing.

But...I was struck with such a difference between the two very blessed piano students and this child. How can I even begin to understand why two girls are placed by God in a family who knows Him and is responsible and cares and feeds and clothes and watches out... and then there is this other child. No coat. No one who really provides.

Do you have an answer?

I know she wasn't placed here at New Hope without a purpose. I KNOW that God understands that we'll take care of her. Sometimes, we, in the midst of our blessed lives, forget to stop and watch for the signs that He sends...the child with no coat that says she is fine.