a blast from the past

This post originally published on May 4, 2010.

I had a remarkable experience this past week that I want to share with you.  It is one that has made me reflect on how Heavenly Father and Jesus love each one of us and are aware of our individual needs.  They care enough to send us a friend when we need it the very most.  So here is what happened in my life last week…

I was sitting in my living room, chatting on the phone with my brother while my son and husband were at  Youth Group this last Wednesday evening.  I had almost gone up to the hospital to visit with my mother, but I felt like I should just stay home.  It was a prompting from the Spirit.

It was almost 9 PM and it was getting quite chilly outside.  All of a sudden, a young girl walked into my living room from the back door.  This little girl has Down’s Syndrome and I know her from church.  I work  in our children’s program, which is called Primary.  I am the chorister and teach the children songs about the gospel each week.  Now, you need to understand that this little girl does not live really close to me.  She lives up a hill and over a bit.  There is a canal between our two homes and I really didn’t think this little girl knew where I lived.

When I expressed amazement that she was here in my home,she simply stated that she was knocking.  I asked her if her mother was outside.  I thought that perhaps her mother was talking about some youth stuff with my husband outside,since her mother is in charge of the Young Women’s group in our church group.  She stated that she was outside.  So we went to find her.  There was no one outside and it was dark and cold.

I took her back into the house and wrapped her in a warm blanket.  Then I explained I was going to call her mom, since I was sure she was really worried about her.

Her mother was indeed frantic.  Search and Rescue were currently at her home and they were getting ready to dispatch a reverse 911 call.  There were other Search and Rescue team members throughout the county on their way to look for this little girl.  They were going to have a team dragging the canal. There was great relief that I had their little girl and the authorities came and scooped her up.  No one seemed able to explain how this little girl knew to come to my home.

I know the answer to that though.  I am sure that a loving Heavenly Father had some guardian angels guarding her and guiding her along the way.  You see, if she had gone to my neighbor across the street, my neighbor wouldn’t have known that little girl.  If she had gone down the street to another neighbor, she would have encountered some rather large dogs and they most likely would have scared her.  But Heavenly Father knew that I could help this little girl and that I would know her and she would know me and feel safe.

The next day, her mother drove past my home and the little girl pointed excitedly and said, “That’s the Primary house.”  You see, she can’t say my name.  However, she knows I am in Primary and one of her teachers.  She knows that I love her and that I will keep her safe.

I can’t possibly think of anything better than knowing that my home is “The Primary House”.  Have I influenced this little girl for good?  Yes.  Has she influenced me?  Most definitely.  It makes me ponder how many lives I may have touched and not realize it.  I know there are several who have influenced my life.  But the one thing I learned once again, is that Heavenly Father is aware of each of us and that He loves us no matter what our circumstance.  And that is indeed a cause for celebration and spiritual renewal.