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Author: nik
Posted: 2007-10-24 16:54:45
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As we neared the park, I noticed one of the boys from our neighborhood coming towards us. He was probably eight or nine years old. I didn’t know his name, as we were still new to the area, and I was admittedly a bit overprotective in letting Connor go out and play. But before I could deter him, Connor ran up to the boy and exuberantly yelled, “Guess what! We’re going to the PARK!”
The boy didn’t even stop walking. He just looked at Connor with indifference (bordering on contempt), and continued on without acknowledging him. My mother bear instincts chomped at the bit as I held back my tongue. “Can’t you just say, ‘that’s nice?’” I wanted to rebuke. “Didn’t your mother teach you any manners?” I caught up with Connor, prepared to hug him and tell him sometimes people can be rude. But his reaction caught me completely off guard. The look on his face was not of hurt, or frustration, or even confusion. It looked like compassion.
“Oh, he must be shy, Mom.” Before I could think of what to say, he thought another few seconds and then added, “Or maybe he has a sore throat. Poor kid.”
Wow! I thought of how I react when I feel snubbed – a call not returned, a hello unanswered, an effort unnoticed… pride of the flesh would often spur a reaction more childish than my child. His reaction, though simple, exhibited goodness. And kindness. Thinking of others, even those who hurt you, before yourself. No wonder Jesus said whoever humbles himself like a child will be greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. I have a lot to learn from mine. |
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