"i'm smart. I have glasses so i can see good, and my nose gets sensitive when i smell bad things"

Today I want to tell you about a little tank of a 7 year old who has made his way into the large part of my heart.

His name is Nick. He looks like his daddy, has a heart like his mama and has blue eyes that will make you say yes to everything he asks. Unless it's something like going to the Mall of America because that place gives me high stress. Ain't nobody got time for all those people.

And...he'll just run up to you and give you a hug. And that makes my heart melt. Without knowing it, he makes my days better. all the time.

Anyway, I get to spend my summer days with him, and I'm counting myself pretty lucky. I get to read with him, swim in the pool, go to the park and the library, and eat Popsicles. The types of things you'd expect to do with a 7 year old. And it's pretty great because I get to see the world through his eyes.

The eyes of a 7 year old who loves stuffed animals, loves riding his bike and is nice to everyone and has the most contagious laugh you've ever heard. ever. like for real. He's funny. and sweet and so smart.

I feel like kids, in general, as the best way to know the heart of Jesus, but especially this kid.  I mean, obviously, he's got stellar parents who instill the right values in him, but I've literally never heard another 7 year old say. "I love you, Mom, but I love God the most."

He has the this amazing instinct to love this kids people who have a harder time than others. It's like he's wired to love people well. He's got a bleeding heart. He gets sad with me when we watch Dumbo and draws pictures for his mom and dad and grandma. And is nice to the kid who peed his pants when everyone else laughs. His best friend is this clumsy, messy, kind of space cadet of a kid that frustrates all the adults he comes in contact with, but Nick loves him like a brother and don't give no effs about how many times Timmy falls down or breaks something. There's just always this inherent grace...(which is probably giving him more credit than he'd developmentally ready for but)  he's just the best.

He made me a "special charm necklace" when he didn't even know me very well, and wanted to play all sorts of games with me and I just made room in my heart for him because I knew he'd be a permanent resident.

I can't wait to see the man he will become. I can't wait to see where his life takes him and what types of things will make his heart beat....I'm also real interested in how tall he'll be, and what type of girl he'll fall in love with.

I'm blessed by this little mister, and right now, I know that he doesn't see a ton of the brokenness in this world, and I pray that his heart is protected from that for as long as possible, and that his main job can continue to be being a kid and have fun. 

When I pray for him (and his family) I just pray for protection, and for time to move a little slower than normal so they can really enjoy every stage of life together. I know though, that when he does begin to see more the brokenness in the world, he'll be a first responder because that's how he's wired.  He will leave this place better than he found it, and I can't wait to watch the ways he'll make it happen.

I've been made increasingly aware lately that we use the word "love" a little too loosely. I don't love a lot of people the way I love this boy and his family.  I love them like they are a part of my family, and they are, in a sense, because there are other things that bond you together more than blood can or does.