I have been blessed!

As some of you may already know I recently got a job with the school district as a sweeper at Garland Elementary. Last Thursday and Friday, and also today, I worked all day filling in for a co-worker who had a death in the family. This was putting me to work at 6:30 AM, and I really only had two "big" duties to do throughout my day. I had to set up for and clean up after breakfast, and the same for lunch. Thursday there were two cute girls that came to help me at lunch. They had the duties of clearing tables and collecting trays when the other children were finished with their lunch. One of the little girls was a very talkative little gal, she she wore mismatched clothes that looked as if they were a size to small and shoes that seems too big. She talked about many things with me, but there were a few things she said that really struck me and got my attention. She said "I don't really have any friends, maybe one or two is all." I tried to brighten the conversation by telling her that I bet the one or two friends she had must be great friends. She replied with " No not really everyone just thinks I am gross." I was busy trying to get the kids in and out of the lunch room and get things cleaned up for the next group to come, so I sort of blew it off like it was just a kid thing and went about my business. She continued to talk to me about this and that and seemed to be a very happy little girl. I did however notice the way the other children would look at her and turn their noses up the sight or sound of her. How sad. I thought of her the rest of the day even commenting to a friend about the girl who talks to much. Then next day I saw her again at breakfast sitting alone. She again began to talk to me and tell me why she was wearing the clothes she had on. This time she wore a shirt that was a bit on the small side and a pair of jeans that seemed to big. She was proud of the jeans and said she had wore them to show a fellow classmate that she in fact did have a pair. "All I really wear are sweats I don't have much jeans" She continued to eat her cereal and talk about a few things she was doing in class, and ran off when the bell rang. At lunch time she told me about her brother who suffers with ADHD and how the kids don't like him either. I felt bad for the poor girl knowing she just wanted someone to listen to her and make her feel like an important person. After lunch was over I didn't think of her much, I was just glad my day was more than half over and I got to go soon. That night I got a call from my co-worker saying he needed me to work for him on Monday as well. I was really NOT wanting to do it but given the circumstances I told him I would do it. I got up this morning feeling very tired and not wanting to go to work. I got everything set up for breakfast and waited for the noisy kids to come in. Half way into breakfast I was changing garbage when my little chatter box found me. "Hello" she said. Oh I was not in the mood for this I was tired and cranky, but she continued on anyway. "I am so blessed" she said. Ok I'll bite. "Why are you blessed honey?" "Well" she said. " I said a prayer and it worked." I stopped what I was doing and asked what she meant. "well some nice people bought us a nice new Christmas tree, and brought us some food for Christmas dinner." I told her that was really nice of them to do that, and she said "Yep and they also brought us some shampoo and soap and , new toothbrushes too. Aren't we blessed?" For a moment time stood still as I looked at this precious little person who was so thankful to have the simple necessities that most of us take for granted each day. Tears ran down my face as she stood in front of me with a big smile on her face, so happy to have the "simple " things.
I know why I needed to into work today, I need to hear the lesson she had for me. I had not been in the Christmas spirit at all this year and to be honest was wishing I could just skip it this year. I think God sent me to work today so this young child could teach me, and remind me the special blessings that the season brings to us. It is not the expensive gadgets that the kids want or the cool steam cleaner I desire. It is simply love and acceptance for those around us. After all that is what Christ gave to us, love and acceptance.
Merry Christmas to you all. I hope you can all take a moment and ponder the reason for the season.
God bless you .