I know it’s a relatively cliché thing to write about the little lessons about the Lord that I’m learning from being a father but that’s what you get this week. You’ve got to give me a little grace here, she’s my firstborn and I haven’t done it yet. So here we go.
I’m going to tell you two stories. One about a 15-year-old named Nelson and one about 3-month-old named Anaya.
Nelson came to the hospital about 5 months ago. He was quiet, reluctant to talk about his life, reluctant to come sit outside with me, and mostly just sat on his hospital bed waiting for the next treatment. He rarely smiled and stayed to himself. I visited him among many others and after a few visits he became a bit more friendly but still stayed quiet, still stayed sitting on his bed. Nearly every time I approached him he would offer only a blank look, eyes that spoke only of pain and loneliness and a weak handshake. I left the hospital many times wishing I had been able to connect with him better, draw him out of his suffering and see him smile when he saw me coming.
Anaya was born almost 3 months ago and for the first 2 months and 3 weeks she occasionally smiled but more often, like any newborn, she expressed herself by screaming or soft crying (MUCH worse than the screaming for a parent). She didn’t like being left alone, didn’t like going to bed, and pouted often even though she couldn’t communicate to me why she was so frustrated. I would put her to bed and whisper my prayers over her, speak my love over her and hope that she stopped crying soon. It rends my heart every time.
Something changed.
For Nelson it was about 2 months ago.
For Anaya it was just last week.
They started smiling when they saw me coming. At last they were able to express the immediate retreat of the loneliness that surrounds when they are left in their beds. Though it rips my heart to pieces to leave this child alone in a bed, I cannot express how much breath fills my lungs when I approach Anaya first thing in the morning or Nelson early in an afternoon, and see a huge smile.
Now I cannot wait to go see my daughter in the morning, to pick her up, see her eyes squint nearly closed, her lips curl out and up, her hands joyously bat the air and hear a squeal of joy to be reunited with her daddy.
And now I cannot wait to walk up to the hospital, catch a glimpse of Nelson looking out the window and hear a loud “Tio Jon!” escape from his lips, feel his arms drape over my shoulders as embraces me from behind and see his laughing smile dance across his face.
Today, loneliness lost. Today love won. Today, a child found a reason to smile. Today I was honored to represent Christ to a lonely child.
Though the sorrow may have lasted for the night the joy came in the morning.
Let’s hear it for “The Long Haul” — Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!
As much as we want quick results, most of the time it is The Long Haul that sees the reward. As much as I would like to visit your friends at the hospital next week and know that I had been able to bring someone out of her/his lonely place of fear and isolation, …. I know that those who hang in there for The Long Haul are the ones who most accurately express the God Who has come to live in their midst.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
My favorite smile quote: “You are never fully dressed without a smile.” It think it’s from the famous person, Anonymous.
I don’t think this is anything close to cliche… it’s beautiful. I love reading the weekly updates from you and your wife! They are a gentle reminder of how great our God is, and how amazing your family is for being his hand and heart to these people starving of love and companionship in Mozambique. Thank you for sharing your hearts with us. :)
Jon – it’s beutiful to see a child smile, that’s the way it should be, unfortunely there is a lot of suffering in the world. You’re doing a great job, God bless you and protect you and your family, can’t wait to meet Anaya :)
Jon – another beautiful story about God’s love, patience and joy – as you continue to exhibit the same to these suffering children. Thanks for being there – thanks for telling your stories – thanks for sharing the fruit of the Spirit with others and us. P.S and tell Layne thanks for the pictures via e-mail. Now to try to print successfully in full color for the other side of my refrigerator. Love you guys sooo much. GG
How heart warming and encouraging to see what (daddy) God is doing in Nelson’s life through you – and to hear of anaya”s growing awareness, love, and affection for her daddy. :-) Praying you continued perseverance and encouragement! :-)
Not only are both you and Layne giving the Father’s love to others, but you also have the gift to write in so many wonderful words to tell us all about it. Yes it definately makes my day to see Mia’s smile in the morning and before I see her, hear her talking. How priveledge are we to have children. I can’t even imagine what our Father thinks of us. Hooray for love and smiles. Luv to Layne en Anaya
Jon the way you put words on paper very special, you also bring a smile to many more,thank you.Aunt Joan
Those smiles are like rewards from the Lord after all your hard work..imagine our reward in Heaven if we keep up the good work! I’m happy for you Jon and Layne, that you have these 2 precious kids in your life. Enjoy them! And Thank God for them:)
Awesome Jon! As I share the pictures of our trip with everyone I always share mine and Nelson’s and how in my broken Spanish and his lack of English, we did ‘Head, Shoulders, knees and toes.’ He is a special young man and God has placed another special young man in his life, “You!” Thank you for serving and loving as Christ~
Jon, that was one of my very favorite post to date:) What a smile can say…..and do to our heart.
Thanks for being a fantasic daddy (I saw it;)), and for being a wonderful friend to Nelson.
the things God shows us are never silly, and most are meant to be shared. this is awesome.