Not Just For Kids

The woman taking our family’s order obviously didn’t want to be there. Just hearing her voice from the speaker, I could tell she wasn’t having a good day. Before I could try to cheer her up, my son screamed a distressed cry from his car seat in the back of the car. As my husband drove to the pick-up window, I grabbed my son’s chubby hand and started singing, “Yes, Jesus loves Judah. Yes, Jesus loves Judah. Yes, Jesus loves Judah. The Bible told him so…”

Judah calmed down a little, and I had the chance to make eye contact with the disgruntled cashier as she handed my husband our food. She wiped away a tear and smiled a smile which transformed her face. “Thank you for that. Thank you so much. Have a great evening. Thank you.” I chuckled as we pulled away and started the drive home. I never could have imagined a scenario where I’d cry in a Burger King drive-through. Yet here I was, choking back tears, humbled by the fact that a child’s song about Jesus ministered to an aching heart faster than anything I was prepared to say ever could.

Often, when I run into hurting people, I’m overwhelmed with the weight of their struggles and I can’t figure out anything good enough to say to “fix” them. But really, all they need first is the reminder of Jesus’ love. May we always start there.