This Boy Is SPECIAL!!!

I want to brag a little on this absolutely precious boy of mine!!! I've always known that Wade has an especially tender, compassionate, and loving spirit about him, but it has been really rewarding to watch him use that special spirit to witness even at the mere age of 8 years (almost 9).

Yesterday we ran an errand to Lowe's after school. Wade and I went in alone while David stayed in the van with Lafe and Joseph. As we were leaving he told me something that made me stop in my tracks.

PREFACE: There is a little boy in his class named Medhi. He is from Assyria. In the beginning of the year Medhi's mother was coming to class with him to learn some English. So, we heard a lot about Medhi and his mom. His mother has not been coming for awhile now, but we still see Medhi everyday as he rides by on his scooter while Wade is getting into the van. Even Lafe and Joseph have started waving goodbye and shouting "Bye, Medhi." He is a very sweet boy, but from an entirely different culture. Medhi obviously does not bathe regularly and he often wears the same clothes several days in a row. He, of course, smells bad. We have always taught Wade that God made us each uniquely and that we are excited about our differences. We love people for who they are. Wade has truly taken that lesson to heart this year. (This is going to be long, but hang with me. You might even cry!)

STORY: So, when we were leaving Lowe's yesterday Wade said "I asked Medhi today if people from Assyria bathe regularly."

YIKES! I said "What? You asked him that?" He said, "Yes, but after he said to me 'Wade, other people tell me I smell bad, but you never do.'" Okay.

Wade said "So, I just told him that people here in America bathe a few times a week (he didn't want to push it) and then I asked him if he bathes regularly. He said he doesn't."

So, Wade and I discussed it more later and decided that he could maybe make a pact with Medhi that they would both bathe and brush their teeth everyday and see if it makes a difference for him. Wade liked that idea, but was a little hesitant. I told him that a couple of weeks ago I challenged the Junior High girls to do something out of their comfort zone FOR GOD. He agreed that he wanted to do that. So, he is supposed to be making the pact with Medhi today or tomorrow. We'll see.

I told Wade that I am EXTREMELY proud of him because it hasn't mattered to him that everyone else in the class doesn't even speak to Medhi. Wade plays with him and yet is still the "cool" kid in class. I am so overwhelmed with emotions because I can't even describe to you in words how passionate Wade is about "being Christ" to other people. He's only 8 years old. And to think, this is my product of premarital sex. GOD IS SOOOOOOO GOOD!!! (No, I'm not condoning premarital sex. I'm just saying that God can make something so wrong, so right when you give it to Him.)

Anyway, today I took him to his orthodontist appointment and then stayed at school with him for a little bit for Parent Day after the appointment. Before we got out of the van to go into the school Wade and I were talking about this situation and I told him that he is not only showing Christ to Medhi, and I didn't even get to finish my sentence before he said "I'm showing Christ to EVERYONE! AWESOME!!!" On our way into the building he told me that everyone in his class has made up this game where if you touch anything of Medhi's, you're poisoned. I was shocked!!! I can't believe how cruel kids can be. Thank you God for Wade!!!

(I know that I am not a good writer. And, it really does make me sad that I can't write beautifully enough for you to truly get the full picture and emotions that surround this whole situation. I just hope that you can appreciate it and rejoice with me that we have a precious son who is so willing to be BOLD for Christ!)