We were lucky today. In the beautiful city of Pittsburgh there existed a blue sky and warm weather. As I pulled the shades today and peaked outside I saw joy. Today was our first day of soccer at Urban Impact and what a beautiful day it was to start!

We met our newest members of our squad ranging from kindergarten to third grade-eager to play amongst the grass and run around with one another. Smiles all around. 

During our Bible Study, there happened to be one student who tends to have a difficult time controlling his anger and his behavior. Everyone knows this child by name. But even more beautiful is the fact that, no matter how many times he may be pulled out of the game or asked to sit on the sidelines to calm down, he always comes back. Rain or shine. Downpour or snow, this is the one child who consistently shows up. So regardless of his attitude, he knows there is something special about soccer. Regardless of his attitude, he knows he is always welcomed with open arms. 

Today he began to almost have a meltdown during our bible lesson until I practically forced him onto my lap and asked him to please listen. After being resistent at first, he settled onto my lap wrapped one arm around my waist and the other on my shoulder and proceeded to play with my hair the entire time. Not a peep. There were no swear words, no taking his shoes off, no throwing of grass and or talking when he was not supposed to. He simple took each strand of my hair and inspected it as if he was searching for something. Maybe peace. Maybe comfort. Maybe a little bit of both. For those who have been to soccer before, we all knew how rare this moment was. So we listened and he remained still. Asking why my hair was so short. Asking why my hair was so messy. Asking why my hair had a bobby pin up top. 

I think sometimes we try so hard to comfort children by giving them things. When in reality, each and every one of them sometimes just need to be pulled on your lap, told their special and perhaps a little bit of hair might help too. My hair may have been a mess after those thirty minutes, but I knew his heart was in the right place. And that only happens when there is a feeling of whimsical love and peaceful comfort. The next time you find yourself wandering what you can do to help, give that person your heart. And maybe even a strand of hair or two.