V.I.P.

Sariah was selected as her class's VIP this week!  This means that her teacher noticed some pretty outstanding qualities in Sariah, and wanted to recognize her for them.  As the V.I.P., she gets to bring home this huge Mickey Mouse for the entire weekend.  This sweet mouse has come with us EVERYWHERE!  She also gets to be her teacher's special helper all week next week including taking the lunch count, being the line leader, and doing the calendar.  She seriously cannot wait to do the lunch count!  She takes this job very seriously and has been practicing with her stuffed animals all weekend long.  I will often hear her in her bedroom saying, "Who is going to have hot lunch?  No Hootie, I saw your lunchbox, so I know you don't get hot lunch today!"  Very funny.

So what did Sariah do to earn this honor?  In a conversation with her teacher, it was brought to light that Sariah always looks out for the little guy.  Her best friend is a little boy named Briscoe.  I got to meet Briscoe last week and I immediately knew what she was talking about.  Briscoe is a boy who has been through Kindergarten before.  He has a sweet lisp, his hair looks a little silly, and no one wants to be his friend.  But as I watched them together this last week, I could see that Sariah genuinely loves him.  When they got to the table that I was helping with, she saved him his spot because she wanted him to sit next to her.  When the other kids got a little frustrated with him for taking the pencil they wanted, Sariah promptly spoke up with "He found it first. You are going to have to wait your turn."

There are no words to describe the feelings that I experience when I think of the way Sariah is with Briscoe. We talk a lot about being kind, about trying to include everyone, and being friends with those who may not have any friends.  The following song out of the primary songbook is Sariah's favorite:

If you don't walk as most people do, some people walk away from you.
But I won't.  I won't.
If you don't talk as most people do, some people talk and laugh at you.
But I won't.  I won't.
I'll walk with you.  I'll talk with you.
That's how I'll show my love for you.

And within Sariah's little 5 year old self, she is living this most genuine, loving, Christ-like principle.  This is not something that can be taught - she was born with it.  Sariah, my girl, is incredibly special.  And with a heart like hers, which is now allowed to mature and take flight.  She is going to do amazing things, because of her undeniable love that she has for everyone.

What an example to me she has been.  She will never cease to amaze me.