katToday I went ice skating, and almost as soon as I entered the rink a little girl came up to me and offered to help me.
I was so moved. My friend said, “God sent a little angel to help you.”
The little girl took me on as her student. In a sassy but cute voice she said to me, “If you want to learn you’re going to have to let go of that wall!” Moved by her words, I let go of the wall. I was so scared!
She would skate pretty fast and even do spins on her own. My mom always says children learn things quickly because there is no fear in them and I could really see that. It was the adults who were struggling to learn–their knees trembling, yelling curses, almost in tears, really.
But I was so amazed by how skilled she was, and when I commented on her abilities– she told me that she’d only come to the rink four times so far. At first it was scary but it was like rollerskating–like waddling like a penguin, or walking. She asked if I’d ever been rollerskating and I told her not since I was little–around her age. She said she was 10. I told her I must’ve been about 9 when I went.
She then held my hand and taught me with such patience and my heart melted at the kindness and affection shown to me by this little girl who did not even know me. She was incredibly encouraging. When I would say something negative or nervously stumbled across the floor or yelled out, “Ah, I almost fell!” she’d reply “but you didn’t,” and “well at least you didn’t stop.” I was shocked by her positivity and wisdom. When I got tired, she waited with me as I took a break by the wall. At one point, I felt I might collapse and bent down with hands on my knees. I told her, “Give me one second,” and she jokingly replied, “Ok, one second!”
After taking breaks, she’d kindly ask if we could start up again. She also adorably asked, “Is it ok if I let you go?” and would quickly come to the rescue when she saw me struggling to stay up. She would pull me and give me a boost! It was quite funny.
Her name was Amelia. She was so cute and sassy, but honestly a really great teacher. There was no rudeness in her at all and she was patient and kind–completely understanding when I’d wobble or skidded across the ice— almost falling over. She taught me patiently for about an hour.
At the end she said, “Well, I have bad news. I have to leave now.” So I thanked her and I hugged her, and she left. A few minutes later I saw her watching me from the sidelines with a proud, adorable smile on her face. With the widest grin on mine, I waved goodbye as she walked away.
I felt so special and chosen. I love children and I always find myself drawn close to them. Sometimes I’d rather be with the children than the adults. Their pure heart and gentleness always moves me. Though small, I find they carry wisdom adults often forget.
Through Amelia I experienced a holiday miracle and realized more about having a childlike heart– about having a heart like God’s, and about God’s grace and deep love. She served me with a heart like Jesus.
I wished we would all have a heart more like Amelia.
I thank God for sending me an angel and teaching me through her. Never underestimate children. They are our blessings.
Mark 10:45 “45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 19:14 “14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 18:2-4 “2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
