Princess

I stood watching her from across the gym. She was wide open across the gym floor, one hand dragging a bag full of Disney princess dolls and the other loaded down with a styrofoam cup full of hot chocolate. I’m pretty certain the smile on her face was enough to melt anyone’s heart. She was having the time of her life and I was having the time of mine watching her. 

She was trying to make it to the door with more than she could handle. Her eyes lit up and her heart beating ninety miles an hour. I watched at least five people stop her and ask her what she got. Everyone in that gym was just drawn to her. She was lighting up the room. And every time someone asked her, she would stop, squat down, set the hot chocolate on the floor, and dig in that bag for a replica doll of one of the Frozen princesses. I don’t recall which one, but given the situation, I’m going with the one that is magical. 

She would pull that doll out of the bag, and show that doll off like it was her most prized possession. She would start talking as fast as her little heart was beating and most of what she said wasn’t even intelligible. Then she would put the doll back in that bag, grab her hot chocolate, and head for the door again. The whole process would take about thirty seconds. That smile hasn’t missed a beat. By the time she was hot chocolate in hand, someone else would stop and ask, and she would go through it all again. 

And I just stood and watched the whole scene. It was beautiful. Every second of it was beautiful. She took three gifts home from that Christmas party at Madison Cross Roads school. They weren’t much, at least not by most people’s standards. Maybe fifteen dollars apiece. Probably just a small dent in what most children receive from friends, family, and Santa for Christmas. 

On the way out the door, she looked at me and said, “I love you Mr. Walker. This was the best day of my life!” And I find joy in that. I hope the memories of that night wipe out others for her. Every child deserves that...for the good to outweigh the bad. Whatever it takes to help create that, I pray that we are always willing to do...especially for the ones that need it most. 

And while it wasn’t much...I would say the impact of that moment on the heart of that little girl was really monumental. And I say that because the message that was sent will touch her heart long after Princess Elsa of Arendalle has moved on from her care. See..it’s not about putting the doll in her hand, or allowing her to experience hot chocolate for the first time, or even watching the nativity story being played out in front of her so she could hear the story of Jesus. 

It’s about a community coming together to make a family feel loved, supported, and cared for. And it’s about adults, pausing their busy, hectic, American lives, to do something relatively small to let a child know she is loved and she is surrounded by heroes that would give up their own time to bring her joy. It’s about allowing her to experience being the princess, even if it is just for one night. It’s about a father or a mother, a grandparent even, giving their all to raise their children, knowing that they aren’t doing it alone. There is a team of people behind the scenes that love them and are there for them. 

The Bible says some pretty radical things about love. Love covers a multitude of sins. Love is greater than faith and hope. Love binds all things together in perfect unity. Paul even said, he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law. Jesus said all the law and the prophets hang on the command to love.  

I can tell you that all those things are true. I have tasted and I have seen...and scripture stands the test of time..love conquers all. And I can also tell you that there is nothing more inspiring than to see a person love someone who is hard to love, or someone who is wrapped up in darkness, someone who can give them nothing in return. All those things move my heart...and they will yours also. I believe that because I have seen it firsthand...love binds all things together in perfect unity. God is love. 

Our lives are busy. Our world is self-seeking and self-absorbed. But in the midst of it all, Jesus pleads with you to do just one thing...go love, and love well. There are plenty of people out there that need it. And loving them is the only thing that is going to make a significant,  lasting an impact. In the midst of one of my darkest moments, God sent me a personal message that stays with me always. As I fought back tears, I heard His promise, “You are My son and I have loved you with an everlasting love. And nobody can take that away from you.” And that messages pushes me onward...to love as He loves...and to do it well. 

When it’s hard, when it doesn’t make sense, when it seems to be draining you...love on, my friend. I know Someone who will supply your strength.