Mama Becomes Pupil

Episode 1: People Are Awesome

Standing around with some friends recently, one of them – a good friend to some of them, but so far only an acquaintance of mine – asked if he could hold The Meatball.

I handed him over, and as the bulk of his almost-seventeen pounds shifted from me to this other young man, Meatball pushed away from his new handler, surveyed his face, and beamed one of his big, whole-face smiles at him.

“Awww! He smiled at me! Did you see that? That was huge! That was special.”

I glanced quickly at the friends who are more accustomed to Meatball’s personality, and we traded small, under-cover grins.

Because he smiles like that at everyone.

Unless he’s hungry or tired, or his gums hurt – unless something is already bothering him – he is pretty generous with that whole-face smile. If you line your face up with his and grin, nine times out of ten he’ll meet-or-beat you.

I sat there, probably smug with amusement at my little inside secret, and watched the two of them share silly faces and senseless noises and exaggerated expressions. I told myself, and thanked God, that he really is a happy baby, that he has a great disposition, that he’s okay being held by other people and he’s so liberal with that smile that makes everyone feel awesome.

And then it was like a still, small voice barged into my monologue and I realized – maybe he’s not overly generous at all, maybe people – each individual one – really are awesome.

Maybe it’s not him being ignorant, or ill-experienced, or easily amused. Maybe it has nothing to do with the silly noises or the ridiculous faces that people make at him. Maybe I’m not the sensible one watching him be unreasonable with his affection.

Maybe he’s just right. Maybe each person he sees is that awesome.

Maybe each person he sees really is a unique expression of the heart of our Creator. Maybe each person who holds him, and coos at him, really is completely unique and completely special. Maybe each person he meets really is gifted and beautiful and inspiring.

Maybe his innocent, untainted eyes see something I’ve lost sight of.