From Tracey, I have learned not to judge a "Book by Its Cover".
Tracey is a 14 year old tall boy who came to the Mustard Seed ministry awhile back. He was the kind of boy that would grab all the biscuits, kick the dogs and seemed to be just plain unlovable no matter how much I prayed for him. I watched him sit down every afternoon and color with great care. Also, he would try to studiously read a big childrens book using his big finger to follow each word about Jesus in the Storm. Now as he reads, he is surrounded by little giggling, pushing and shoving seven year olds yet not bothered. Slowly, I have finally started to see a very sweet just rough boy.
So, I finally asked Tracey to come and have tea with me one day. He came dressed up in his best shirt and trousers, which was full of holes. During our visit, he sat in my kitchen and told me his story. He had a mother who was a continual drunk. She drank all day, everyday. From a very young age, he would collect the money from the men who sought favors from her which paid for her alcohol. He told me of the men, how they looked and smelt. His Mother ended up with HIV and became very sick for a long time. Tracey was the one who cleaned up the vomit and changed her faeces infested clothes until he was twelve years old. He lived by begging and stealing from neighbors. One day, he entered the house and found his mother dead on the floor. He looked at her, felt nothing,sat down over her and searched her pockets to see if she had any money. When he found nothing,he stood up and out of anger he kicked her really hard and walked out the door. It was finished. The whole sick mess. Then, four years later, The Mustard Seed came along and he explained how happy he is now to be able to play with toys, read and color, watch movies and get a good meal once a day, even biscuts.
I sat in silence and repented becasue my initial attitude towards Tracey was wrong. I pray that from now on, I will see each child as our beloved Christ sees them. This will allow me to never again judge a child by their outside appearance but only the precious heart that the Lord created. Each child has a story. A story that made them who they are. Tracey is tall and rough boy, but also a hurting, scarred child inside who is looking to be loved and to learn how to love! May we see through the eyes of Christ.
