Beautiful Tendings
  • Home
  • Wedding Officiant
  • Infant Massage
  • Art
  • Ponderings Blog
  • For Educators
  • Events
    • Prior Events
  • Contact
  • About Kathy

"And A Little Child Shall Lead Them"

10/29/2011

5 Comments

 
Picture
I awake today to the sound of a steady, cold rain, and as I listen to that chill, I give thanks.  For five days, a little eight year old boy, Robert Wood, was lost.  He lives his life through the lens of autism, and he was separated from his family as they enjoyed an afternoon walk together in the beauty of autumn.  I wonder if, like so many children, he saw something that called to his spirit, and he followed that calling… that butterfly or dancing leaf or light sparkling through the trees.  He wandered away, and in a heartbeat, life changed.

He was lost for five days.  He was lost for five nights.  And over the course of the week, the search evolved.  I heard that every branch of the military was represented.  I understand that the National Guard, the American Red Cross, state troopers, and the National Organization for Missing Children all showed up.  Then there are the stories of the volunteers, your average citizen, who took this to heart, and wanted to help.  Yesterday, it was reported that 6,000 people wore the badge of honor labeled ‘volunteer.’

And yesterday, Robert was found.  He was alive, was taken to the hospital, and there he was reunited with his family.  Local news crews were jubilant.  Phones began to ring from household to household and people filled with emotion couldn’t wait to share the amazing news that this child had been found.  Candlelight vigils had been taking place all week, praying for his safe return, and last night there was to be one more to celebrate the gift of Robert and the miracle of his return.

There is a Biblical story about the Good Shepherd.  In this story, the Shepherd has a flock of 100 sheep.  At some point, he realizes there are only 99.  He easily could have said, “Ah, well, what’s one lamb.”  But this is not his thinking at all, and he leaves the 99 to search for the one.  The parable goes on to say that there is great rejoicing and celebrating when the one is found.

There is also a beautiful passage of scripture found in Isaiah chapter 11.  It would be good for all of us to read it and see what it might mean to each of us, but these particular words are buzzing in my mind today.  “In that day the wolf and the lamb will lie down together, and the leopard and the goats will be at peace.  Calves and fat cattle will be safe among the lions, and a little child shall lead them all.” (Isaiah 11: 6)

We all wanted to find Robert.  But what actually happened is that he found us.  He led us to what Spirit yearns for in this human creation… selflessness, compassion, unity, grace, and love.  Let’s remember this.  Let’s continue the search by standing together, by staying our focus on what truly matters, and by living our own quest as children who are cherished, deeply cherished, by a Spirit that is never lost to us.

Today as the rain falls down, as the snow lights gently in places colder than this… may we find our boots, may we light a candle and quietly may we tend the kindling that Robert laid for us, and carry on.

Picture
5 Comments
Rebecca
10/29/2011 03:31:07 am

Robin sent me this, because she knew how closely I had followed Robbie's story. Your piece brings me to tears again! This needs to be published somewhere, because it expresses so well what I was wondering: What could we accomplish if we selflessly worked together?

A+++, my friend!

Reply
Margaret
10/29/2011 07:57:28 am

Thanks you for sharing your spiritual insite. This is inspiring.

Reply
Tanya Olinger
10/30/2011 09:44:10 am

Kathy - I felt the same way as I sat and watched the rain on Saturday. Let it come! It does not matter! Robbie is safe. It was beautiful, in a way, because even though it rained and stormed I knew it could not touch him. So thankful! So many answered prayers.

Reply
Cassie
10/31/2011 05:14:56 am

this story gives me hope
kathy. thank you

Reply
Angelina C link
2/25/2021 07:55:47 am

Grreat reading

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Kathy Guisewite

    "To be about there
      first attend to what is here
      everything connects."  KFG

    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.