The child at the tree...
I just spent 5 days somewhere in Texas with hundreds of 5th and 6th graders........... I really did not want to goon the camp ......."who wants to be taken out of their comfort zone?" I don't.....
But WOW what an experience, I was taken out of my comfort zone for one of the most amazing weeks of my life.
We went as a group with Second Baptist Houston" www.second.org as an organised camp with all the activities you can imagine........
I coined a phrase for some of the children that I met ......"The child at the tree" I called those kids that did not fit in well with the rest of the group "Children by the tree" I usually spotted them at the tree while the other kids played with each another on the fields, or celebrated the quiver in the bulls eye or the score of a goal in soccer or water polo game.
These "children by the tree" are different, they act, react and respond very differently than the rest. But in each one there is The hand of God and each one is designed to make a difference in this world.
Having spent 4 days with some 14 children by the tree, I think I need to shift my focus to the people that are not PLM's (People like me)
They do not have to be children, just those people in my life that might not find it easy to fit in for whatever reason.........
If I just extend a word and applause from my grandstand and my neighbourhood to those 'by the tree" I believe my world will be filled with a different flavor...............The flavor of inclusion! Of being inclusive to everyone not just P.L.M.'s
Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh how blessed are you parents with your quivers full of children. Psalm 127:3-4
My new favorite song by Brando Heath sums it all up. "....
http://www.myspace.com/brandonheath
http://www.EMPTYBOTTLEMOMENTS.COM
posted by Clive at
7:31 PM
2 Comments:
Clive ,
I really love how you explained the children by the tree.
I was a camp ground cordinator in
Marlboro , Ohio for 22 years and life gaurd. I love Children and have 3 of my own Twins grown 22 and 12 year old son.
I have been the coach for many and I always taught my chlidren to be team players. Enough of me ..
I just wanted to say I love how you look at each child as a gift and can learn something by them as well. In the Bible it say's if we just looked at life in the eyes of a child .. Sounds like you have a beautiful heart and are a gift to these children . Each a beautiful flower that growns on their journey in life to a Awesome fruit.
They just need someone to see them so they too can be a light to the world like you !!
Enjoying life 2,
God Bless your Journey my friend,
Babette
Clive!
How wise you are and sensitive to the needs of others. What you have written is beautiful! What a positive difference you made with the "By The Tree Children." How loving and Christ-like! (Was Moses shy?)
From one who's often been by the tree.
Zig
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