Worship Therapy

In the last few weeks, I have added another thing to my schedule. I have been trying to meet individually with several children in the afternoons for their own special one-on-one's. These are the kids who aren't attending morning preschool yet. Either they are not old enough or aren't quite ready for class. 

I began meeting with one particular little sweetie a few weeks ago. Honestly, I've been at a loss of what to do. I'm not quite sure how to reach him. This little one isn't talking or interacting much and when I talk to him and try to get him to do something, he ignores me. It's like he doesn't hear me, but I know he does. This little boy has been through a lot in his life. He was abandoned at around 2 years of age and has had more trauma in his young life than I will probably ever be able to imagine. I have been praying for wisdom on how to help him. How to get him out of his shell. How to connect with him.

Recently I have felt that music may be the key. There is something soothing and comforting about music. I love music, I love to sing, and maybe, just maybe this was the key to reach him? Well, I kept forgetting my laptop (which has all my music on it) when I would meet with him but finally today I remembered. We tried some of the other activities I have been trying with him and again, wasn't getting much of a response. I pulled out my laptop, booted it up, and began playing / singing some worship music. After all, if we are going to sing, we might as well be singing to Jesus right? After all, He is the One who KNOWS this little boy more than I ever will. Who created him and who loves him. Right. So, I put on some Praise Baby (my personal favorite) and gave it a shot. He was sitting on the floor hitting blocks together. As son as the music started, he paused to listen. A few minutes later he then made his way over to the table where I was sitting with my laptop and sat down in a chair. He got the biggest smile on his precious face. When the song would stop, he would reach for my hand and guide it back to the computer to choose another song. Then the smile would return. One of my love languages for these kids is touch. I know how they lack that human touch and contact when they are in the orphanage. I will often not only hold them, but rub their little hands, legs, or face, as well as kiss them (how could I not with some of these cheeks?). As the music played, he reached for my hand and brought it to his face. He wanted that human touch. With tears streaming down my face, I happily obliged.

I think I have found a way to reach him. No, he may not know his colors, numbers, or ABC's right now. But we went over our class time (I'm usually trying to figure out how to pass the 30 minute session). I just couldn't stop when time was up. We just kept sitting there singing worship music to Jesus. At one point, I could see him trying to sing.

Thank you Jesus, thank you, thank you, Jesus.

"Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:16)