I want to share one of the most amazing Jesus encounters I’ve ever had.
I was able to hold hands with a foster child. He’s not my foster child, but the foster child of a woman who attends my church.
I will call him C.
I believe he’s about 7 years old.
C has taken a liking to me. At playground ministry, he stays by my side. He’s my helper. He helps me give out water and chips. He likes to stay busy. He smiles at me the entire time, searching my face for approval.
He always finds it.
I wasn’t able to be at playground ministry this past Wednesday so he was especially excited to see me this Sunday. He ran up and wrapped his arms around me and I melted.
C loves, love.
He is love.
He asked if he could sit by me at church and his foster mom said it was okay. I grabbed him some crayons and a coloring book. He asked if I would color with him. I said I would but would have to stop when the pastor walked up to the pulpit.
He looked at me very seriously and said “Me too, ’cause I gotta pray.”
When the pastor opened us up in prayer C took my hand. I expected him to let go so he could color when prayer was over, but he did not.
He held my hand for 1 hour and 6 minutes.
During worship, he tried to sing along.
During the service, he would rest his precious head on my side. Occasionally he would poke me, and run his fingers over my hand that was holding his.
C wasn’t trying to bother me or get my attention.
It was like he was trying to figure out if this was real.
Was this love he was feeling…real?
It was very, very real.
More real than the skin on my bones.
I could feel the absolute love of Jesus pouring through me. Through my hand into his. From the top of his head to the tips of his toes this little boy was encountering the love of Jesus.
It was almost overwhelming for me, but not for C.
Those crayons were never opened.
He was basking in the love of Jesus.
To be a conduit for Christ is the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced.
Pure love.
This was one of the most tangible experiences I’ve ever had with Jesus, and that’s coming from a woman who’s had many.
I will never forget this.
Not ever.
To learn more about Heidi and her Kingdom passion, visit Kingdom Come Home
Featured Image by Artur Skoniecki from Pixabay
