Another kind of beauty. That of human beings. Creativity, enthusiasm, openness to life. These are some of the things I learn from these precious children... We are privileged to spend an afternoon each week with a group of coloured children from our little town. Ten months ago we started with 13 kids; since then it has grown to 80 children participating some afternoons. Kids raised in poverty. Vulnerable children who are exposed to the effects of alcohol abuse, violence and neglect. But children with spirits so fresh and open. It makes one feel small and humble to see their eyes so full of eagerness and trust. Ready to learn and to drink in the good and pure and beautiful. We were given an old house in town to use as space to get together. We were created together as a group. We named the house "Create". We anointed it to be filled with God's presence. So we can be re-created by love. Because that is what hold us. Not our own. But the love of the all-encompassing One. Not looking at us in terms of race or age or gender or social class or even virtue. But as beloved human beings, together in a little rundown house in a little town. Never have I seen a house cleaned with so much joy! It was like something coming alive... And we dance and sing and tell stories and pray and laugh and cry and garden and play and do sports and eat and create together... We experience how God provides: volunteers, donations, food, supplies. And we create. And I see that creativity is not learned. That it is something deep inside that just needs to be unlocked, to be given space and attention. And then it blooms and flowers and I see these children from the streets transformed into their God-created selves. Focused, at peace and deeply fulfilled. And it fills me too... And I want to take off my shoes, because the floor that I stand on is holy ground...
1 Comment
Matty
3/21/2017 11:35:01 am
Creativity is ... seeing something that doesn't exist already. You need to find out how you can bring it into being and that way be a play mate with God. Michele Shea
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Johanneke strydomLiving in God's grace daily. Archives
October 2017
Categories |