This boy became my newest teenager this week! It’s hard to explain the strength and wisdom of this kid. Maybe because truth has often felt overshadowed with worry about academic progress, or whether he’s fitting into typical benchmark norms and expectations. But every once in a while, there is someone who not only sees Luke for his heart, but will go out of their way to let me know how he has touched their life.
Last week, we were nearing the end of summer school. Needless to say, 6th grade wasn’t an easy transition for any of us. At this point, there was real concern whether Luke would even go on to the next grade. Unaware of the struggles, our sweet retired neighbor, Fred, stopped me in my front yard to talk about Luke.
His words were pure comfort to my soul and a reminder, once again, NOT TO WORRY...That the “call” on Luke’s life was still, as always, completely in bigger hands. He went on to tell me what a kind, compassionate, helpful heart Luke is to him. How impressed he is with the way Luke carries himself, interacts, and converses so well with adults. After Fred recommended a few future career options he thought Luke will be destined for, we both laughed, I thanked him for the encouragement, and we parted ways.
We then left for our family vacation a few days later. Still not knowing Luke’s summer school results, we headed off to the Smoky Mountains to decompress, love on each other, and connect with family members we rarely get to see. At one point on our trip, our group was swimming and picnicking in a swimming hole off the banks of a river. I decided to climb up some rocks and lay on a flat surface in the sun. Taking advantage of some alone time; laying with eyes shut and sneaking in some prayer, I heard an older woman’s voice asking questions nearby. Having no idea if the questions were directed toward me, eyes still shut, I started answering them anyway.
Because I’m getting weirder in my age too, and I suppose I can’t help myself.
Beautiful day isn’t it? “It sure is!” I responded.
A few more questions and I realized she was trying to have a conversation with me, so I sat up and walked her to the shade where her husband was sitting with his walker. After learning this couple was from Charlevoix, Michigan; the woman, Marge, started sharing a long story about some of her bodily ailments. She explained dealing with these things for many years, until one day it just stopped and the Lord healed her. She further explained the side-effects of the medication she was on during that time had left her shoulder with permanent nerve pain.
I knew as she was sharing I would ask to pray with her, but for a split second I thought to myself...I wish Luke was with me.
Just as I was thinking this, here comes Luke climbing up from the banks of the swimming hole. He was walking straight toward me, and just the sight of him started to give me more boldness.
As soon as he walked up, I invited him into the conversation. “Hey Luke...this is Marge. She and her husband are from Michigan visiting family here. Marge was just telling me about some things God has healed her from. She’s doing better, but she’s still suffering with shoulder pain. I thought we could pray for her.”
Luke, still dripping in his clothes, drops his agenda, no hesitation, lays his hands on Marge’s shoulder, and proceeds to pray with me for her healing. Afterward, Marge thanked and blessed us. Luke said..”You’re welcome. Bless you too.”
There are a couple of reasons I share these moments with Luke...
First of all, even in pre-school, all Luke wanted to do was look for critters, dig for jewels in the sandbox, and love his friends well. At his year end assessments, Luke’s teacher said he would need one more year of pre-school, but included he had hugged her and said “I love you” to her almost every single day that year.
Since he was still only 4 years old, this felt like a pretty good report. But when I shared it with someone else, their response was less than kind. “Well that’s all fine, but charm isn’t going to get him through school.”
And so it began...kids don’t always get good reports, not even from well meaning people whose opinion I respect.
What I mean is this; we ALL have kids who are uniquely gifted. With the good we are attacked with the bad...bad choices, bad reports, bad attitudes, others opinions, but we don’t have to work harder to make our kids fit in or know they are important.
No matter what, imperfect parents are going to say and do hurtful, discouraging things while trying to shape our kids...they are going to hear it from teachers, other family members, coaches...ect. But as they identify with who they are, whose they are, and why they are here, purpose will drive them to do brave, life shaping things that only exposure to hard things can prepare them for.
We already know 7th grade is going to be another challenging year, and then probably 8th grade..and so on. But for this week we celebrate; for the boy turned teenager, yes; AND for a successful passing of summer school..Whew!
But mostly that I can draw comfort and trust Luke’s gifts are shaping and strengthening me, our family, Marge at the water hole, and my sweet neighbor, Fred who even snuck him a birthday card on vacation with us.
And as much as I want to bottle up all the little moments and call them big, I’ll just to choose to be present with this weeks’ victories, while eating up the joy, charm, and blessings of my hilarious 13 year old son. May the Lord continue to keep his heart soft and future bright!
