Putting others first

Emme and her two friends at school

There are so many things I could say about this picture. Here are just a few:

1. There's a white girl in it--aka a 'gringa'
2. Red, white and blue are the colors of Costa Rica
3. The white girl is really tall and her skirt is too short--#tallgirlproblems
4. There is a kid here that is embracing a new holiday
5. A Third Culture Kid is in the works


...and the list could go on.....

But the one thing you don't see or even realize is that this was hard for her.  See, anyone who knows Emme, she is a sweet, loving, thoughtful, spirited, gifted young girl.  She is outgoing is all ways but one--getting up in front of people.  She has never been a fan of Christmas Performances, singing songs on stage--or in front of more than us, VBS or anything else for that matter.  For several years, I tried to force her--to no avail.  Finally, I gave in and asked, "do you want to?" Which typically received a "nope," and we left it at that.

However, this time there was a little twist that had nothing to do with me or even her. 

For the July 25th celebration of the Annexation of Guanacaste, Emme's school had a performance.  Each class did a dance or something for the celebration.  It happened that people got to volunteer to be a part of the dance.  Emme did not volunteer.  She told me that she could if she wanted to, but she didn't.  I said nothing.

Then about a week later, she told me that she was going to dance.  I was shocked.  I asked her why and here is what she said,

"Well, I really didn't want to dance, but everyone had to have a partner.  My friend, A, had to decide between two girls to dance with.  My friend, B, really wanted to dance and when Friend A didn't choose her, I could see that she was upset and that she really wanted to dance, so I volunteered to dance with her so she could be a part of it. Even though I don't want to dance. And it will be in front of the whole school (insert scared face here)."

I was floored-and proud-and shocked!

I told her how proud I was of her and talked about how hard that must have been for her.  But doing something for someone else--even when we don't WANT to do it--is a real sacrifice.

Her teacher was also shocked that she had a typical dress!  She practiced several times a day and she learned it amazingly fast--she really is a good dancer.

I was so proud of her.  I can't say enough how much she has surprised me.  Moving to Costa Rica, embracing Spanish, embracing the culture and stepping out of her comfort zone for someone else's needs.

I am reminded of two verses:

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4

I can only hope.....

(and when I say 'hope', I am using it in the biblical sense)....

to quote John Piper's Desiring God Sermon-What is Hope?

HOPE is: 
A confident expectation and desire for something good in the future.

Biblical hope not only desires something good for the future; it expects it to happen. And it not only expects it to happen; it is confident that it will happen.  

So with that, I pray and HOPE this is part of Emme's spirit and that she will develop her ability to recognize when to put other people first--AND to ACT on it!  I pray that her dad and I can be living examples--the hands and feet of Christ--so as to make it easier for it to never depart from her.

In HIM,
the crawfords