Thursday, January 13, 2011

Dearest God,

Three children, Christina, Mattie and Erin have been my teachers this week. All children they made their mark early in life before forces beyond our abilities took them from us. Christina is the nine year old girl who was murdered in Tucson. Mattie was 13 when he died with a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Erin was 13 when she succumbed to neuroblastoma. But death did not end their witness to something greater.

Christina lived on the edge, wanted to break down barriers and change the world. Mattie started writing books of poetry about peacemaking, love and faith when he was three years old which all appeared on the best seller list before he was even a teenager. Erin worked hard to help other children with cancer leading the way in her community. Children, teachers we need to listen to.

My teachers bring light into dark places. Their joy in living while dying speaks volumes to hope. They challenge us to think about life through the eyes of children full of hope and promise but taken away so early. They nudge us to consider who we are, how we are living and what we are doing to make a difference in the world.

In the face of so great a witness, can I continue to harbor my resentment toward a friend? Can I selfishly accumulate blessings without returning them to the world? Can I ever again look at children as children who still need to learn so much or will I open myself to learning the lessons they have to teach?

Teach me
the lessons
of faith,
of humility
and obedience,
O God.
Break down
my arrogance,
my narrowmindedness,
and all
my bent places,
I pray.

Love, Andrea