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Aug 01 Genuine.
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Posted at 11:22 AM by Amy -
13 Comments
Starting Silas in preschool here in South Africa was a little bit terrifying for me. In addition to the normal hurdles that come along with this early and initial step of fostering independence… I knew that Silas would face some unique obstacles. He’s the only American. His accent is different and he struggles at times to understand the dialects that he hears. The teachers use English in the classroom, which most of the other kids understand, but a myriad of languages are spoken on the playground.
At the end of each school day, I watch his classroom door creep open and the frenzy of 3-year-olds that come pouring out like bees from a hive. Many of them are paired up in friendship- but Silas runs towards me alone. This got me praying. I started to ask God to overcome every barrier and give Silas a solid friend at school.
No kidding, the next afternoon when the classroom door crept open, I saw the frenzy of kids spilling out… and then I saw Silas. He was dragging his backpack behind him… and another little boy was helping him pull it along. When Silas saw me, he let go of his bag and ran to the fence- and his friend continued to carry Silas’ bag until they both reached us. I smiled at the little face of this stranger and my heart let out a ‘God, you’re so good…” We made our way to the truck and I asked Silas about his day. I asked him to tell me the name of his new friend, and he said “Genuine”. I was unsure, so I asked again and Silas said, “his name is Genuine”.
I learned from Silas’ teacher that the other little boy’s name is actually Benjamin… but Genuine also sounds like a perfect fit to me!!
13 Comments on “Genuine.”
I loved this post……I think it’s because I understand what it’s like to take your kid to a school where he’s the only white face. I love it and I know Andrew will be a better person because of it, but he is a bit of a novelty.
Thanks for the reminder that I too need to be praying for genuine friends for my little guy!
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Oh how sweet to trust in Jesus… God is so good to us, especially when it comes to our kids. Genuine… wow, that is priceless.
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God so loves it when His children come to Him with their requests, for it is then that He truly gets to be Father. When we pray we give God the opportunity to watch over His word to perform it, for Jesus said, “And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, BELIEVING, you will receive” (Matt 21:22). I so love His word, and I so love this new friend of Silas’s that God has provided because you were willing to ask Him.
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One of the meanings of Silas’ name is “steadfast in trust”… and I’ve learned more about trusting God since becoming a mother than all of the other seasons of my life combined… I couldn’t make it as a Mom without Him being my partner (along with David, of course!).
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it can be hard on the heart, can’t it… when your kiddo is a novelty… but I agree… it’s instilling good things in the hearts of these sooner-than-we-expect-to-be men.
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So sweet Amy. I’m so glad Silas has found a friend. Definitely lets you breathe a sigh of relief.
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i just love this. i love seeing how God answered your heart’s prayer, how He provided Siloh a sweet little friend, and how Si so sweetly called him Genuine.
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Amy:
How great it is to “meet” someone who has an affection for my beloved “holy city” … Wilmore, KY. I graduated from the college (where else was I going to attend with my father being a professor across the street?) in 1987. Married, relocated to Ohio and after seven years, a gut-wrenching divorce, found myself back in Wilmore with two young sons. I worked at ATS for 3 years, and met my husband Billy there. We were married in 1997 and left Wilmore in 1998 for NC.
How I miss my water tower and my roots! My parents have since relocated to NC, but Wilmore will always be home to me. It’s my “genuine” … my place of comfort and calling and grace.
So good to connect. Please feel free to visit me anytime at the blog or via email. I’d love to know more about you and your ministry in SA.
peace~elaine
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I can so see my SiGuy going to school with all the wonderment in his big eyes, and running to Mom when the day is over. It is such a clear picture in my mind of you praying for him to have a friend, and the little boy dragging the back pack with Silas. What joy it is to see how the Lord answered your prayer so quickly, but Gods timing is always perfect. I will be anxious to hear how this friendship developes. God is good ALL THE TIME
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I love love love this. I hope that you are gifted with such said friendships all throughout your stay as well. You and your groom.
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ditto.
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“wow, God…you’re fast!”
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Amy! My goodness it’s been so long since I’ve visited your blog. Your kiddos are so big and lovely! Alece is just such a grown up girl. I’m probably way behind, but it sounds like South Africa will be your home longer than you expected and that your work is taking off! And Silas in preschool! Wow. We miss you back here. I think of you often. Hope you are all well!
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