A Boy...

A couple of months ago, I met this boy. He has probably the worst ADHD of any child I have been around. But as I spent time with him today, I prayed. I prayed for God to give me energy and peace. I prayed for others who were helping. But most of all, I prayed for this boy. I can't imagine being trapped in a body that won't stop. To try and make sense of everything around you as you grow, but with the inability to slow down. Always sensing and seeing something interesting and needing to touch and feel that with a fierce intensity.

As I talked to this boy, walked with him, and held his hand to keep him from running, I know there is an intelligence there. There is a want, a need, a love that is waiting and trying to reach out.

As an educator, I see what is coming. If there is not medicine put into place, this little boy will stay in trouble. He wil be repeatedly disciplined. This will affect his learning. His mind needs to slow down to fully comprehend language development and mathematical concepts. He will struggle with development of speech as I see occurring now.

But God, God has brought this little boy into our midst for a reason. He is in our lives with a purpose. I'm so sure of it that I feel the urgency. A calm voice and re-assurance from God that we are needed for him and he for us.

Esther 4:14 is perhaps among the most well known verses for understanding we have a purpose. "And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" I know some people look at this boy and only see lack of discipline. I'll be honest, he is the one I've been most concerned about. But now I feel something that is only from my Lord. When I prayed about all of this, I now understand. There is a purpose that I may never know for this season at this time, but God knows.

The river in this picture can be quite fast. In the current, you don't slow down without an intervention. This boy reminds me of the river, always running quickly without regard for anything. He is unable to slow down without intervention. But, Psalms 121:8, "the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." The Lord is watching over this boy. He is using him just as he uses you and me. Who knows, maybe he was born this way for such a time as this!