When I arrived at the house where I would live
in Piratininga, São Paulo, I saw two children playing at the entrance with a
swivel chair. I wanted to ask the mother of the children something, but I
noticed they spoke another language: English. After unpacking and settling in
to the new house I had the opportunity to meet these children. Mya and Micah
were the children of Mrs. Cartwright. Micah was initially very shy to the point
of not looking at anyone but did more when someone watched him playing in the
arms of his parents.
Well for me there was nothing abnormal, because
I was always very shy. And when someone stared at me I wanted to produce a hole
to enter. So since I met Micah I felt an urge to be his friend, but it would
not be easy because of the difficulty of shyness, and language. But I would not
give up. I discovered that he had a friend, a monkey, a very expressive doll
and thought it could be this way, because I had a doll puppet, Bia, a bee, very
sweet. And one morning I came up with this bee and surprised Micah, saying phrases learned in my English
course online and I could talk very quickly.
On another day I made a spontaneous song to monkey with regular verbs in
english such as dance, play, sing, but it was fun and Micah liked it. But the
interesting thing is that we could communicate and everything was easy so that
the monkey and Bia become great friends.
But a special night caught my attention. After
dinner I brought Bia to play with the kids so she and the monkey, plus other
dolls like the sheep and black lily could be used by Micah, Mya, Gabi (another
house girl), and some adults who were there to make a puppet show. It was very
interesting because they each created their story, each in their own language
but they were always in relationship. Well I had to leave them playing because
I had to go out, but when I was getting ready, Micah and Mya came in to my
room, each with a box in their hand and asked me which is your bed? And I
pointed it out, so I could observe each box. They were toys, cars for Micah and dolls clothing for Mya. They wanted to play, they had become my
friends, and I had become a child.
And then I wondered why Jesus told us to become like children? I did not need to use complex words to win friendship with Micah , but I had to give only what I liked to play, puppets, and they gave me what they liked to play. They have not judged me for my English but at my heart, my attitudes. And so it is with God, not by advanced vocabulary in English or Portuguese that I will have more involvement with God, but the delivery is what is most important to me. My time, my talents, my dreams to the Lord Jesus. But beware God sees the intention of the heart, so if your friendship with God is guided by convenience, religious culture, or "managing for results", you can lose everything. God wants to have a true friendship with you and relate to you giving great gifts, but for that we must become like a child.
Hugs Lilian Pires.
Thanks Dona for your help me.
Thanks Dona for your help me.