gracias

Charged with two simple tasks, I arrived at the orphanage for handicapped children eager complete them and then hold my little love again. The one isolated in darkness and clenched against love. I stepped into an administration office prepared and efficient needing only two simple things: receipts for a donation and to make one delivery.Almost an hour and a half went by before I left that office. A computer frozen and slowly lumbering awake again, receipts incorrectly completed (error by both of us compounded) and the tedious process begun again, desire for official standard operating procedure that technically wasn't necessary...so much I would be tempted to judge backwards. My Martha could have easily risen up in rage at inefficiency and my time wasted when I could have been cradling a child.Yet I felt so overcome with peace and the grace to be present. My prayer to be present, to have the capacity to see those near and to love them well, was being answered despite my nature. Even my strengths in administration laid aside, so I could be weak and need Him to be present...so I could be present.And then the sweetest thing happened. Her speaking Spanish with a few English words and me speaking English with even fewer Spanish words peppered in, we talked. And not just "Hi" or "Good morning" or "How are you?"...but one heart to another. It began when she said she loved the children and after a year of working there she hoped to work there many more years. Having seen the children growing and thriving, I encouraged her that her loving dedication was having a tangible impact on the children. That they had grown in peace and joy, strength and size.Her eyes welled up with that soul recognition of heart resonating truth shared between sisters...and mine filled too. Standing up over the desk in a tiny sweaty office we held hands and prayed together. Unplanned, unanticipated. At one point, the weight was so heavy neither of us could utter more than "thank You, Lord"...Spanish and English words blending as hearts united overcome at the goodness of our perfect heavenly Father. Pure grace overflowing filling our hearts with thanks.Then breathing deep and wiping tears, we both confessed joy. Our hearts overflowing, we were happy. And isn't that what blessing really is? To be "oh, how happy!"Then not a moment later, her phone began blowing up and students from our team began asking me questions, and our efforts shifted focus. But our hearts remained centered on how near and dear Christ is...and how happy we are. Sister souls united.