Learning From A Child's Heart

Why is God so great and the thought of heaven so ecstatic?  Because…. “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not comprehend it.”  “Then Jesus again spoke to them saying, “I am the Light of the world, he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”  (John 1:5; 8:12). Why?  Because we live in such a dark world!  The contrast is beyond human understanding.

Hey Gang:  Have you ever been in a cave?  On one of our trips west we visited and toured Carlsbad Caverns, a mammoth, gigantic underground cave that is seven levels high.  When we reached the bottom most level the guide said, ”There is a rope suspended in front of you, take hold of it for I am going to shut the lights off, for a few minutes, to help you truly understand what blackness is”.    Although the lights were out for only two minutes, it seemed like a much longer time. 

As I mentioned in a recent morning message, we have gone through a very difficult time in the Hainley household recently.  I have had the distinct feeling that there are a flock of buzzards resting in the trees around our home.  In the past several months our family has dwindled by four.  We have received phone calls, cards and yesterday as I walked through the super market, several friends and neighbors came up to share their feelings sympathy.   

Now, I want to share something with you that I have learned when the buzzards are zinging around your head that I would call a universal law of God.  Jesus made a point that we need to tuck away, not so deep that you cannot pull it up in a moment’s notice: He said, “No greater love can one have that to be willing to lay down your life for someone who is hurting” (Hainley rendition). 

This I have learned from the many people who have surrounded us with their love and compassion is that we need to be alert for everyone we meet is fighting a battle”.  When we lost our son David thirty years ago in a car accident. We were amazed with the number of people that we met who had also lost a child.  I also learned that words do not come easy when you trying to sooth the hurt in a loved one or friend. 

I found this neat little story tucked away in my archives. I believe is a perfect example of a heart that truly felt the hurt that an old man had when he lost his wife.  The boy, six-years old, saw the man sitting on his front porch rocking in his chair. Even though he had not been a nice neighbor and often swore at the kids for getting to close to his property, the young lad climbed the stairs to the porch, went over and sat down in the old man’s lap.

After returning home, his mom asked, “What did you say to the old man?”  The boy replied, “Oh, I didn’t say anything, I just cried with him.”  There are times when that is enough.  There are times when that is really all we can do.

Folks there are times when someone needs you to take the time to put your arms around them.  No words necessary, just to know someone cares is enough. 

Blessings, 

Gramps