F5 Storm Warning

*Names in the following blog post have been changed to maintain confidentiality as well as for safety purposes*

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Kids are the coolest... and I was a pretty cool kid.

I really wasn't that bad growing up. As you know, if you've read some of my other blogs, I had this odd obsession with stories- reading, listening, and telling them. I loved to play outside and get really really dirty just because I liked watching the bathwater change colors. Just simple kid stuff. That's not to say, however, that I didn't get into any trouble. I mean, when I was 6, I thought I had invented mischief.

Although, what I remember most about raising hell is that I would get all sorts of attention from it and attention seeking kids are just like storms. They are inevitable and sometimes unpredictable. Some storms come in passing as little annoyances just sprinkling water droplets on your glasses. Some come as bitter cold wild chills that last for days. And some are full blown tornadoes; F5 storm warnings to be exact. I was a good mix of all types of storms- I was unpredictable. On one hand, I wanted to be this kid who was always pulling pranks or getting into something they shouldn't and on the other, I wanted to be the teachers' pet. Either way, it got somebody to notice me, so that's why I would act out.

Well, last Wednesday, I had the honor of spending the day with Miss Angie Rose at her after school program known as The Unstoppable Foundation. The Unstoppable Foundation is an after school program that caters to the needs of the youth (grades K-8) in the community while being Jesus to them in a safe environment. Everyday after school, they munch on a snack, have time for studying and tutoring, then fun and games. After school is the highlight of these 12 kids' evenings. And on top of that, it keeps them our of mischief. For the most part.

Before we got things kicking, I just asked the Lord to show me who I needed to spend my after school time with. I wanted to really make sure that I was doing more than just playing and having fun with the kid I thought was the coolest or most exciting. And low and behold, the Lord did His thing and I met Isaiah. He was a little ball of energy, seeming to be the troublemaker of the group and I began to wonder what I had signed myself up for.

Each person went around the room introducing themselves. Sometimes unwilling to scarf up their real names, they'd come up with goofy nicknames instead. Sugar was Isaiah's older brother so following in his lead, Isaiah threw a wacky nickname out there too, which I have since forgotten. But something was telling me that this kid was going to be a holy terror.

Snack time had ended and it was time to work on school stuff when Angie leaned over and whispered in my ear "He," pointing at Isaiah, who was wiggling an Oreo from his forehead to his mouth, "is going to need a lot of attention to keep him focused." He made the cookie into his mouth and shot out of his chair like a rocket, fists held high, as I just stood there taking it all in. I continued to float around the table trying to avoid the diffucult kid, when I heard Kyle tell someone that Ruby was god at Reading and English. Not very long after I felt a tug on my shirt and turn around to Isaiah with eyes lit asking if I would help him read about storms.

For 45 minutes I gave this little boy my undivided attention and he proved me wrong. He wasn't a holy terror at all. Rather he was just struggling in school and feeling second best to his brother. We read about tornadoes and asked questions and laughed and then read about blizzards and hurricanes and laughed and asked lots and lots of questions.

You see, I misunderstood what Angie was telling me. She wasn't saying that Isaiah was a bad kid or a troublemaker but that he would just need some TLC to fully live up to his potential. And for that, I thank:

Everyone ever who has invested 45 minutes or more in my life.

Everyone ever who has had the patience to sit me down to sound things out.

Everyone ever who has listened to me express myself.

Everyone ever who has encouraged me even when I didn't understand it.

Everyone ever who has given me a little TLC.

That is the type of impact I believe God is calling us to, the impact the younger generation needs: being there when the sun is shining, when the F5 storm blazes through, and when the rain clears and puddles are to be jumped in. What looked like an F5 storm, was really just a rain shower and splash in the puddles. I just can't forget my boots when I go back to see a certain little rain cloud.

Peace,

Ruby