I have been teaching and leading children for a while now! I have been doing this fulltime since 2003 and have witnessed some amazing changes within the lives of families and children! In some ways I have even watched these children become young men and women! And although there are SO MANY people that I am proud of I wanted to share a quick story today about a boy (excuse me) young man named Tyler.
I met Tyler in NC, who happened to be a 4th grader at the time. He has what doctors refer to as…a lot of energy! (Much like myself at times!) Tyler was an individual who had the attention span of a fly. It really didn’t bother me too much except when it came to him listening and paying attention. While someone was teaching, Tyler seemed to always revert back to what he likes to do best…talk! He was one of the children where all of the teachers knew his name because they had to call it out a lot.
Well one year I remember being at camp with Tyler and he DID NOT want to be there. He didn’t keep it a secret either! He refused staying at camp another night and tried to make his point by not eating any food. I tried everything, but he wasn’t budging. Later that night I saw something in Tyler that I have never forgotten to this very day! That night there was a young girl who was getting baptized in the pool at camp. It was somewhat dark outside so the pool was lit up and students lined the entire span of the pool in order to watch. Directly across from me was Tyler, sitting on his knees, focusing on what was happening. As this girl was being baptized all the other kids were clapping and talking, but not Tyler. I noticed that Tyler had tears in his eyes and was smiling, as if to understand the deeper meaning at hand! From that very moment on, I have never looked at Tyler the same!
Let me fast forward you to Tyler now. Tyler is now 16 years old and is seriously…I mean this with all my heart…one in a 10 million!!! Honestly, any parent would be proud to call him their son! And although I am not his dad or even the one who deserves any credit, I still feel a deep sense of honor, love and pride to be someone that has helped lead him in his life! I KNOW in my heart that he will be, and IS ALREADY…“a man after God’s own heart!” He loves the Lord and he genuinely loves life and the people in it! A very rare find for someone who is 16!
I met Tyler in NC, who happened to be a 4th grader at the time. He has what doctors refer to as…a lot of energy! (Much like myself at times!) Tyler was an individual who had the attention span of a fly. It really didn’t bother me too much except when it came to him listening and paying attention. While someone was teaching, Tyler seemed to always revert back to what he likes to do best…talk! He was one of the children where all of the teachers knew his name because they had to call it out a lot.
Well one year I remember being at camp with Tyler and he DID NOT want to be there. He didn’t keep it a secret either! He refused staying at camp another night and tried to make his point by not eating any food. I tried everything, but he wasn’t budging. Later that night I saw something in Tyler that I have never forgotten to this very day! That night there was a young girl who was getting baptized in the pool at camp. It was somewhat dark outside so the pool was lit up and students lined the entire span of the pool in order to watch. Directly across from me was Tyler, sitting on his knees, focusing on what was happening. As this girl was being baptized all the other kids were clapping and talking, but not Tyler. I noticed that Tyler had tears in his eyes and was smiling, as if to understand the deeper meaning at hand! From that very moment on, I have never looked at Tyler the same!
Let me fast forward you to Tyler now. Tyler is now 16 years old and is seriously…I mean this with all my heart…one in a 10 million!!! Honestly, any parent would be proud to call him their son! And although I am not his dad or even the one who deserves any credit, I still feel a deep sense of honor, love and pride to be someone that has helped lead him in his life! I KNOW in my heart that he will be, and IS ALREADY…“a man after God’s own heart!” He loves the Lord and he genuinely loves life and the people in it! A very rare find for someone who is 16!
How about your child? What do you see?
Hyperactive? Strong willed? ADD? ADHD?
Hyperactive? Strong willed? ADD? ADHD?
I hope when you look closer, you see what I saw during that North Carolina summer night!
I hope you see a future "Tyler!"
Here’s to “doing what I do!”
I hope you see a future "Tyler!"
Here’s to “doing what I do!”
