There’s a well-known adage, which says, “A  friend in need is a friend indeed. This week, I was impressed by some childhood friendships, and I want to recap them here!

First, I was helping with the kids’ chapel service at church on Sunday. In part, I sat with the kids during worship in case someone needed help or redirection.

At one point, a young nonverbal girl in a wheelchair was rolled at the end of my aisle. She was close to Lydia’s age. I got up to greet her and learn a little more about her.

Within seconds, a little boy popped over to introduce himself as her cousin. They were approximately the same age. He said, “I know her the best of anyone here. Can I please sit with her and take care of her?”

I was in awe of his compassion and eagerness to look out for his cousin. For the next several minutes, he whispered loving comments to her. He also told me, “I love her so much” and “I have several cousins and I feel it’s my job to look out for them and protect them.” I gently explained how great of a cousin he is, but also that he doesn’t have to shoulder all responsibility for their well-being.

Later, during the egg hunt, I stood with the little girl while her cousin went to find her some Easter eggs. He wanted to make sure she felt included and didn’t miss out! He was so thoughtful and sweet and soon took her for a ride.

Meeting this young boy was refreshing and unexpected. I hope I can be as quick and responsive to meet the needs of those around me.

Second, on Monday, I offered to pick up a couple of Lydia’s friends for an evening athletic activity. It was fun to hear them talking about all sorts of things, such as water bottles and clothing. They were laughing and joking the whole way, and it was cute to watch.

When I picked them up two hours later, the three of them were discussing how sweaty they were, how hard they worked, and what size t-shirts they had received (based on their mom’s order).

One of the girls exclaimed that her shirt was probably bigger because she is bigger. It made sense to her and she was happy. For the record, as a Registered Dietitian, I have no reason to be worried about her size. She’s normal, and her shirt size ended up being the same as the others.

I loved this girl’s self-confidence and she wasn’t necessarily comparing herself to her friends. But, what impressed me most was the support she received. Lydia and the other girl gently changed the focus and encouraged their friend. They normalized the statement and it soon became a non-issue.

I’m not sure if they quite understood it from my perspective, but I reminded them that there is no perfect size and we all grow differently. I used some examples of my own friendships, and how each person can be a similar size but perhaps a different shape.

I will leave you with this simple quote by writer, Wes Angelozzi, “Go and love someone exactly as they are. And then watch how quickly they transform into the greatest, truest version of themselves. When one feels seen and appreciated in their own essence, one is instantly empowered.” I hope you are as encouraged as I am by these kids!

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God, thanks for the gift of dear friends! Help us be quick to respond with grace and kindness. Help us put Your sacrificial love in action. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Have you learned anything profound from interacting with children lately?

Task: Next time you are around a group of children, watch whether they make fun of each other or whether they encourage and accept one another. Remember, much of this behavior is learned, so be sure to set a good example!