Sometimes it is the smallest of meetings, the tiny conversations held with a stranger that makes such an impact on life. There have been far too many significant people whose life path has crossed my own for me to believe that anything happens by chance in this life. One thing I have noted in my life especially in raising children, and teaching children in various church ministries is that children need to be listened to. As adults we get so wrapped up into all of our tasks and busy lives that we so often miss the profound wisdom that can only come from the mouth of a child. So often I learn so much more about life from a conversation with one child than I ever can from conversations with ten adults. About a year and a half ago I shared a story on my face book page of one of God’s divine appointments. One of the sweet blessings I am referring to. A coworker of mine had asked me to trade and come in to work at eight a.m. instead of nine a.m. By doing so I had the opportunity to meet a delightful four year old little girl. We had quite the lengthy conversation. We discovered that both of our names start with “A”, both born in March, both love to sing and dance, both have a big dog and a little dog, she loves turtles and I have a pet turtle, and best of all we both (in her words) are “getting to know Jesus more and more.” She held her little cupped hand up into the air and said “Jesus holds me like this!” I agreed and cupped both of my hands together and said “Yes, and he holds the whole world like this!” I told her there is even a song about it! She went on to tell me about the picture of Jesus on the cross at her grandparents and that he died and rose again. We discussed the fact that he did that for us to pay for our sins that we would no longer be separated from God because of our sins. She also told me that there is “No one stronger than Jesus!” A divine appointment for our paths to cross? I think yes!!! She referred to me as her “friend”. I pray she keeps her pure faith and boldness to talk about it! She also was telling me of a bridal shower she attended and that “No one actually takes a bath or shower!” What a sweet surprise she was in my day. If I don’t get to see her again in this life we will have all of eternity to continue our delightful conversation! This sweet angel had so much to share. As a mother one of the greatest things I have learned is to listen. Children need the affirmation that what they have to say is important. That everything about them is important. Have I perfected the art of listening? Most definitely not, I am far from perfection. I can see in the eyes of my children if I have affirmed them or crushed them by my attitude, lack of listening, and by my own words. We all need to be heard. To have our cares and troubles affirmed as important. There is One that we can all have that affirmation from one hundred percent of the time. Jesus is always there and always listening. Whatever our care, worry, trial, or triumph He wants us to tell him. He is always listening. He IS the perfection to the art of listening and giving affirmation. Yes you matter, yes your feelings count, and yes I loved you so much to die for you my dear child. 1 John 5:14-15 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.” Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”