She reached out to touch my hand, her pudgy little toddler fingers soft and warm. Dark brown Hispanic eyes twinkled with joy as we played peek-a-boo around her mother’s shoulder.
I would have given her mother $20 to let me hold her precious daughter, but then maybe the spell would have broken.
We waited in line at Arby’s, still teasing each other for at least ten minutes. The baby grinned at me, two tiny bottom teeth standing like white sentinels in her perky mouth.
Then customer service took over. The child and her mother moved away from me, and I ordered my own meal.
Unlike most of my friends, I do not have grandchildren – yet – and I rarely get to see my great-nieces. So when I’m in contact with a little one, it is a special moment for me.
A time of revived hope as I see the future in a tiny life, untouched by the cares of the world. That little girl has no idea yet of the stresses she will someday encounter nor of the need to pay a gas bill and keep a roof over her head.
She is years away from deciding on a career and thankfully, her choices will be much more varied than mine ever were.
Her grin is free from any emotional baggage – yet even as I played peek-a-boo with her, I begged God to protect her. Statistics prove that one out of three little girls will be sexually assaulted.
Oh God, oh God – may that statistic burn in hell.
As I reflected later that day and remembered the beautiful child, I marveled at how she had increased my hope:
- Her youth – so much potential ahead of her
- Her innocence – may life allow her to remain pure
- Her freedom – in a country that offers so much promise
- Her gender – with more opportunities for women than ever before
- Her beauty – who could resist those brown eyes and black hair surrounding clear baby skin?
No wonder God tells us to become like a little child.
No wonder Jesus said, “Let the little ones come unto me.” Perhaps the little ones of his culture also gave him hope.
No wonder our hearts burst with joy when we are accepted and loved by a little child.
©2016 RJ Thesman – Author of the Reverend G books http://amzn.to/1rXlCyh
Image attribution: www.Freepik.com
Thank you, Rebecca, for a great reminder. I’m more aware of the treasures that are my grandchildren and all the other ‘little children of the world’.
And I’ve seen pictures of your “little ones.” Precious !
Looking forward to the day when no little girls or boys will have to suffer from the tragedy of molestation.
Amen and Amen !