Earlier in July I got a chance to be involved in a very sweet lesson that I decided I needed to share!
One afternoon I was at lunch with some friends and coworkers. We were waiting in the lobby with another party that got there right after us as they cleared off big enough tables for both parties. The hostess came back and happily sat us at a booth by a table with a young couple and a little girl about four years old. Then she went back and got the other party and sat them in the booth on the other side of the table that this little family was sitting at. In that second party their was a women about my age using a cane and she had a limp like mine.
The little girl stared, opened mouth with a bread stick held firmly in her hand at both of us as we walked to our tables. Myself as well as the rest of my party didn't pay much attention to the other party and was happily chatting and looking at the menu. But out of the corner of my eye I watched this other party be seated and before this women with the limp sat down she marched to the table with the little family, stood over this little girl began to scold her for staring at her. The little girl quickly started to breathe heavily and soon her lip was pouted. With hot tears rolling down her cute chubby cheeks she looked this women right in the eye and said said she was sorry for hurting her feelings before breaking down into upset sobs. The women almost in a laughing tone told the little girl that she didn't except her apology.
This women then turned to yelled at the little girl's stunned and speechless parents. Telling them that they are doing a horrible job at raising their child and it's people like them and their child rearing that give us no hope for the future. I won't lie my party and myself wanted nothing to do with this horrible scene and as it was going on not only did the staff of the restaurant escape to the hiding spots of the place but slower all the menus at our table went up a little higher so we didn't have to watch. It was then that this women pointed to me and said "I have no doubt that this poor women feels the same way that I do!"
I felt my cheeks beginning to burn and some unknown force almost entirely pushed me up and out of the booth. Not knowing what to do or say I was relieved at the peace I felt with this horrible scene and calmly I stood, walked to the table, and as my nerves were kicking in full force I looked this lady right in the eyes and told her she was more that wrong and I was very relieved that the shakiness I was feeling inside didn't come out in my voice. This women stepped back from the table with her arms folded not hiding at all that she was not happy with my response.
I looked down at this cute little girl who was sobbing and slightly shaking as the tears was starting to make a good wet spot from their landing on her dress. She looked up at me and not only did she have fear in her eyes but she also had the innocent of a child and you could tell that she was very sorry. My heart was breaking at this scene and rage was building up for the women behind me. So much in fact that for a moment I thought I was going to lose the battle to turn around and cuss her out that I was trying so hard not to do. But then another warm peace filled me and not really knowing what I was going to say I looked down at this little girl and asked her if I could sit by her. Still too upset to really talk she just nodded and looked down at her bread stick that was now sitting on the napkin on her lap. I knew the look she gave me before she put her eyes down and it was complete fear that I was going to do the same thing to her.
I pulled the chair out that was next to her and sat down as the little girl looked up at me. For some unknown reason I smiled at her and got a small grin back in return and her tear filled eyes stayed glued to mine. Sweetheart I started to said making sure to keep smiling. Do you think you hurt my feelings? Not looking away she nodded yes. Still at this point I honestly didn't know what all I was going to say but some how the words just flowed without me having to think much about them. Well honey I do have to say that even though it isn't nice to stare, point, talk about, or laugh at people that are different then you, you didn't hurt my feelings. Do you want to know why I walk funny? The little girl quietly said yes and I told her when I was a baby in my mommy's tummy my hips and legs were broken and the doctors couldn't fix them right so now I walk like a duck, which can be really fun! She slightly giggled at that but then looked at me like she was going to get in trouble again. I smiled again and then the girl pointed to my arm that is wrapped in a bandage from an earlier doctor's appointment that day. I then told her I got really sick & my doctor today gave me a big shot to make sure I'm okay. The little girl's look changed to worry and I said but guess what I'm getting better!
As quick as only a little kid could be and before I knew it the little girl screamed yay and threw her arms around me in a huge hug. I looked over at her parents and her mom was crying, her dad had a huge smile on his face, and I was trying not to cry. But we all started laughing including my friends at our table.
The other women was not happy and her party stood up, called me a bitch, and left. The little girl yelled back at them as they walked off that's a bad word!!! I laughed again and went back to my booth. Very quickly the misty waitress came out to serve us and my party got free dessert from the management.
Later that night when I was rethinking it I knew without a doubt that this is my earthly calling and that our loving Heavenly Father had guided me to all that I said and did and I couldn't be more grateful for all of it!
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