3 days ago, I was in the Los Angeles airport (blah) waiting for my flight to Houston. I had a long wait to go so I got a drink at Starbucks and headed on over to the gate where I would depart from... Gate 2.
There were no more seats available, so I found some carpeted floor space and took a seat and started reading my 'news weekly' magazine; I bought it because it had an article regarding Afghanistan in it.
Soon after I sat down and started reading, a beautiful young girl around 23 years old (I'm guessing) came out of the restroom holding her baby girl. I gathered by the little time I spent with her that she was a single mother. And for some reason I couldn't stop watching her and her daughter. She was enjoying every moment that she had with her. It can't be easy traveling alone with a baby...no matter how long the distance. But they both were making each other laugh.
Her baby girl kept looking at me just starring...and smiling and laughing as I returned the gesture with 'goofy' faces and laughs to match hers. The three of us shared a few moments of laughter and joy over this single baby girl.
I began to speak to her mother complimenting her little girl and then asked what her name was... she replied...
"Serenity."
You can call me sentimental or old-fashioned, but I love names and their meanings. I'm a big fan of names that have incredible meanings to them. However; if you're one of those who have been given a name with an 'unfortunate' meaning...it doesn't define you. I just think that a great meaning CAN define you. For example, my first name NATALIE means 'God's gift of joy.' My middle name - SONJA - means 'Wisdom.' I really want to be both of these things. So with grace and love that God gives...I attempt everyday to live these things.
This little girl that I had the joy of sharing a few moments of life and laughter with really was exactly what her name was - she was Serenity. I guess I could say that is the feeling that I felt after being in her presence.
Now I'm not so sure why this has always been the case, but when I'm going through something that I don't completely understand or a situation that has brought anything less than joy to my life, I can recount every single one of these times in my life. As clear as day. And each and every one of these times, I believe God has brought joy to me through a child. I know that sounds crazy...it is possible. But EVERY single time, somehow a child has approached me and said something to me so profound and something that has changed me forever. I wish I could explain it more than that.
Sure children need a lot. The younger, the more they need. I have never had children so maybe that means I have no grounds to say what I'm going to say...but I will regardless.
Children are a joy....and a gift! I love how they always speak honestly and frankly. I love how they laugh. I love how they never doubt how their needs will be met. I love that they never doubt. They have more faith than any of us do...because their faith hasn't been tainted. They still have hope. And contradictary to what some people believe...children can forgive better than most adults. It's like they understand the whole 'forgive and forget' principle so much better.
I love that they have an imagination that can bring out the 'kid' in you. I love that they make up jokes and think they are the funniest person in the world. I love how they exaggerate...and the ridiculousness of it makes me laugh. I love how when they build a bond with you...you are the first one they run to when they fall and get hurt. I love when they pray and the funniest things come out for everyone to hear. I love when you say something you shouldn't, they will always repeat it...and you realise you're in BIG trouble.
I could go on forever.
I can't imagine life without them. More than the fact that it'd be weird to have only adults existing on Earth...we need children. We need them to survive. Yes I said survive. I really believe God places them in our path to keep us sane. And even more than all of that, Jesus was righteously angry in protecting them. He defended them like no other.
But if you haven't figured that out yet, I really can't wait til you do. It will change your life. THEY will change you life.
Serenity reminded me of how special children are. She reminded me of something so profoundly simple...
How much of a gift they are.
I believe one day your eyes will be opened to something so beautiful and so humbling in it's own way... The gift of Serenity.
You are loved
There were no more seats available, so I found some carpeted floor space and took a seat and started reading my 'news weekly' magazine; I bought it because it had an article regarding Afghanistan in it.
Soon after I sat down and started reading, a beautiful young girl around 23 years old (I'm guessing) came out of the restroom holding her baby girl. I gathered by the little time I spent with her that she was a single mother. And for some reason I couldn't stop watching her and her daughter. She was enjoying every moment that she had with her. It can't be easy traveling alone with a baby...no matter how long the distance. But they both were making each other laugh.
Her baby girl kept looking at me just starring...and smiling and laughing as I returned the gesture with 'goofy' faces and laughs to match hers. The three of us shared a few moments of laughter and joy over this single baby girl.
I began to speak to her mother complimenting her little girl and then asked what her name was... she replied...
"Serenity."
You can call me sentimental or old-fashioned, but I love names and their meanings. I'm a big fan of names that have incredible meanings to them. However; if you're one of those who have been given a name with an 'unfortunate' meaning...it doesn't define you. I just think that a great meaning CAN define you. For example, my first name NATALIE means 'God's gift of joy.' My middle name - SONJA - means 'Wisdom.' I really want to be both of these things. So with grace and love that God gives...I attempt everyday to live these things.
This little girl that I had the joy of sharing a few moments of life and laughter with really was exactly what her name was - she was Serenity. I guess I could say that is the feeling that I felt after being in her presence.
Now I'm not so sure why this has always been the case, but when I'm going through something that I don't completely understand or a situation that has brought anything less than joy to my life, I can recount every single one of these times in my life. As clear as day. And each and every one of these times, I believe God has brought joy to me through a child. I know that sounds crazy...it is possible. But EVERY single time, somehow a child has approached me and said something to me so profound and something that has changed me forever. I wish I could explain it more than that.
Sure children need a lot. The younger, the more they need. I have never had children so maybe that means I have no grounds to say what I'm going to say...but I will regardless.
Children are a joy....and a gift! I love how they always speak honestly and frankly. I love how they laugh. I love how they never doubt how their needs will be met. I love that they never doubt. They have more faith than any of us do...because their faith hasn't been tainted. They still have hope. And contradictary to what some people believe...children can forgive better than most adults. It's like they understand the whole 'forgive and forget' principle so much better.
I love that they have an imagination that can bring out the 'kid' in you. I love that they make up jokes and think they are the funniest person in the world. I love how they exaggerate...and the ridiculousness of it makes me laugh. I love how when they build a bond with you...you are the first one they run to when they fall and get hurt. I love when they pray and the funniest things come out for everyone to hear. I love when you say something you shouldn't, they will always repeat it...and you realise you're in BIG trouble.
I could go on forever.
I can't imagine life without them. More than the fact that it'd be weird to have only adults existing on Earth...we need children. We need them to survive. Yes I said survive. I really believe God places them in our path to keep us sane. And even more than all of that, Jesus was righteously angry in protecting them. He defended them like no other.
But if you haven't figured that out yet, I really can't wait til you do. It will change your life. THEY will change you life.
Serenity reminded me of how special children are. She reminded me of something so profoundly simple...
How much of a gift they are.
I believe one day your eyes will be opened to something so beautiful and so humbling in it's own way... The gift of Serenity.
You are loved
