While I was in the midst of searching for the perfect cheese to top that evening's pizza, I hadn't noticed that a young girl of about 14 was standing directly next to Abby and me. Abigail was holding a borrowed Minnie Mouse to keep her occupied while I did our weekly grocery shopping. The young girl who was mentally handicapped asked me what would happen if Abby were to drop Minnie. I gave her some answer to the effect that it wasn't going to happen. The girl then proceeded to tell me that she would get it for her if Abby did. I am not going to lie that I was a bit uncomfortable talking to the girl, and I was annoyed that I couldn't break away from the situation since I had to wait in that very spot to hear back from the gentleman about my cheese.
The girl then went on to tell me that she loved babies and started to pat Abby. Again, my comfort level was decreasing more due to the fact that I don't like strangers touching Abby. What happened next touched my heart and my conscience. Abby reached out to the girl and gave her a loving hug. It was then that I realized that my attitude toward this girl was sinful. I didn't extend love to her but impatience and annoyance. That is not the way Christ would have wanted me to interact with His child. Instead it was the response of a one year old that was perfect and pure.
After the brief interaction was over, I scooted to a private aisle and told Abby that I was so proud of her for showing the love of Jesus to someone today. I need to take a lesson from her and do that more myself.
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
