There's something so poignantly beautiful in how God uses the uneducated and sweet simplicity of a child to break through a hard, calloused adult heart. I was blessed with the opportunity to watch this unfold recently as I watched my daughter interact with a dear relative of ours. A woman who doesn't tend to show much affection, who very much keeps to herself, and understandably so, as she has had a rough life. While spending time with her and others, it came time to sit around the table for a nice dinner gathering. Suddenly, out of nowhere, my 19 1/2 month old daughter reaches out her arms and says "hun", which in Jayliatta terms means "hug". And the first one she chose was this woman. Upon realizing what my daughter was doing, the woman-who does not readily respond to much affection at all-immediately got up and smiled, went over to her, and reached out to hug her back. I was amazed, touched, bombarded with emotions of shock, joy, wonder...and above all, realization; realization of what God echoes throughout His word regarding relationships and the human heart (when I say heart I mean the entire being of the human, not just feelings or the mind but body, soul, and spirit). God chooses the meek and humble to be taught and to teach, because they are the only ones who can truly see the significance in things as God sees it. And He it seems like He uses simplicity as the approach. They are not blinded yet by the world's foolish demands and obsolete ideas of values and standards and worth. Untainted yet, they do not have filters of bias over their eyes that hinder their true vision due to society's distorted and corrupt views. They see things as they truly are, through God's eyes...and therefore are able to truly love and learn and share their love with others. And it's through these living examples of love and trust and just being that one is capable of breaking through even the hardest of hearts that not even the most experienced professional counselor can do. This, is true beauty in my eyes. This, is how true love is developed. This...is true. How seemingly small and fragile children are used to confound us "well-knowledged" and much more "experienced" adults is something powerfully life-teaching and deeply touching. I ask you this, what good is earthly wisdom and scholarly background filled with much experience and formulas of impressive words if we don't even know the basis of love? What good is all the information in the world if we don't know how to extend ourselves to others to truly help and nurture them? We tend to get so caught up in diagnosing everyone else's flaws and "weaknesses" (which I think are actually strengths waiting to metamorphose at the hand and timing of God) that we overlook the simple acts that can truly heal. Maybe if we took time to get to know someone, invest a little more in our "hello's" and "how are you's?" ..and maybe even dare to actually MEAN it when we ask that question at all, which has sadly become a thoughtless, reflexive short-hand form of communication done out of obligation more than concern of the other's well-being. Maybe we should take time to look at a person when they're talking, acknowledge their presence by simply giving a smile or nod, even when they're not talking. Maybe we should turn from our virtual lessons of research and tried-and-true methods of the trade and instead turn our hearts towards others' needs and hurts. Maybe, just maybe, we should take lessons from the little ones, and try giving a hug to a person where medicine or therapy has grown old, even where it hasn't.