It seemed like a day like any other. It was Sunday, so we got up, got the kids ready, and headed for church.
Naomi didn't seem extra happy, or uneasily unhappy about church. It was just what we were doing, and it was routine and fine.
Leading up to this game changing day, I had been overwhelmed to hear that my sweet child had "made a new friend at church". This was huge folks. The child who had only ever played with one child outside of our family at that point. Yeah, her. She had made a friend, all.on.her.own. Since that time, she had also been willing to interact with friends that came over a couple of times, which was equally big.
This day though? It was even bigger.
I walked back to her class after church to pick her up. She was engrossed in playing with a doll house, and I briefly wished it could be one of the weeks she ran to me, knowing I would have to pry her away from it. As I walked in, though, her teacher came up to talk to me. I braced myself. I have come to expect unpleasant news, hearing that she was unusually attached to the teacher, wouldn't follow directions, or the one I really dread, she had hit or kicked another child. This time though I heard something completely unexpected.
"She did amazing today. She TALKED TO ME. Like she asked me 'can I please play with the doll house'."
At this point I was staring wide eyed. What? My child WHAT? Sure, I hear it all the time. Naomi has an amazing vocabulary, and there are days I regret the 2.5 years of speech therapy she went through because she never.stops.talking. That is at home though. That is with me. Her siblings. Usually her dad. Not her teacher.
The teacher went on.
"She got in the tent with the other kids. We went through the church whispering to people 'Jesus is the good news', and she whispered it in somebody's* ear."
Wait. Wait, this can't be right. She whispered in their ear? She PLAYED IN THE TENT WITH THE OTHER KIDS? This isn't Naomi. Naomi is terrified of people she doesn't know, and touching them is miles from her comfort zone. Naomi also can't handle being in enclosed spaces with people other than her family or the handful of people she's let into her "safe circle".
It's at this point I don't remember the conversation. It's at this point I broke down and wept tears of joy and gratitude.
Gratitude to my gracious God, that my precious girl has come so far. Gratitude to this amazing women, who at the beginning of the year had no clue how to handle Naomi, but always listened to what I suggested, and gave my child immeasurable amounts of grace and patience. She will never understand the miracle she has been for my family, she will never comprehend the level in with God has used her to bless my family.
She's been our game changer.
*the teacher told me who it was. I don't remember. Point is, it is not somebody that Naomi is familiar with.
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