The MAGNAMIMOUS impact of being “little”

Observing the actions of a child may make it easy to see the importance of being little – whether it’s peeking through life with their big eyes of wonder, dancing and running with a care free spirit, or loving with a simple and pure heart – it reminds us of the importance of being little. If I so admire the qualities of children – why do I strive to be complex and big – even in a desire to impact the world and change it for the better?

This whole week at the clinic I kept brainstorming how I could use all the nutrition education and knowledge that I’ve learned to help the people in this community. Yet as I continue to seek and ask questions – trying to find a way to transfer my knowledge and education for the betterment of health of those around me – it seems as if the doors have yet to open.

 Slight frustration shed upon me until I spent the afternoon with about 15 children in their compound. As I sat next to three of the children – gently covered in dust, playing with a “Moto-car” that consisted of a juice bottle as the car, bottle caps as wheels and was pulled by a stick, or playing a combination of dodge ball and pickle in the middle with a ball of old and torn socks wrapped around plastic bags – I began to wonder why my “big” knowledge and education must always take precedence in my life.

 While playing in the compound – my three year old buddy Chimembo ran off into the road –that kid is fast. As I chase after him being the over-protective woman I am – I found myself running side by side with this three year old boy I just met – and feeling on fire for Christ – remembering those times in Columbus that I ran with a bunch of goofy Catholics or running my first half marathon side by side with my friend Dave. And this little boy’s impact on my life is one that he’ll probably never know of – he renewed my spiritual fire to run the race for Christ and reminded me the importance of remaining little.

 This little boy – in this little way – impacted my life – in such a magnanimous way! If such a small and little experience could have a profound impact on me – why must I always seek and search out complicated and complex ways to help? What a blessing to be little!