HEARTBREAKS AND TEDDYBEARS
I’m certain she never imagined her life to turn out like the way it has. No doubt she had hopes and dreams like all of us. I wonder when she gave up? I saw visions of the life before the reality of this fallen world became her reality… I see it in all of us still. We’re older, wiser, maybe cynical, but still have the same hopes, dreams, and desires of when we were youngsters.
I see it in my daughters, I remember seeing it in girls growing up, along with my sister and even my mom in hindsight. Girls naturally played with dolls, nurturing their God given instinct to care and love. They; like all women loved with a strong passion to be loved. Loved by someone special who would be willing to lay down their life for the purpose of true love. It doesn’t seem to matter how old girls get… They’re still little girls who love deeply and yearn to be loved deeply.
Likewise, little boys get older, more sophisticated, a bit cynical, and insecure enough to hide true feelings and hide behind the mask of indifference; but it’s just an act, they too are still living with the hopes, dreams, and desires they were born with. We played cowboys and Indians or army and pretended to fight and die for a just cause.
How many little boys have said the now famous words, “Look mom!” Sometimes it was said while holding our hands toward the sky while peddling our bikes, sometimes it was on top of something we’d climbed or conquered – whatever it is we were showing our mothers was for the same reason; we wanted to be acknowledged for our courage and bravery for that built in need of being respected to be fulfilled.
How many marriages melt into vapor because a woman doesn’t feel loved and/or a man doesn’t feel respected or significant? We’re all in need of the same things and our actions point to the fact that it is the desires we were born with.
All those things ran through my mind as she walked across the crosswalk. I could see the little girl in her even though she walked with a bad limp. Her clothes were worn and dirty along with her jeans faded to threads. Her white top and tennis shoes were dingy, gray and stained.
The vicious wind whipped her long gray hair back from her face revealing deep lines and age. She was carrying her life’s belongings in a cloth sack opposite her bad leg. We watched her walk into a drug store parking lot while I waited for traffic to allow a left turn.
My conscience wouldn’t allow me to drive on without trying to help the little girl who lost her dreams and was now old and homeless… No matter – she’s still someone’s daughter and child of the King. The little old girl was cynical, “We don’t want anything – we just want you to have this.” She finally lowered her cynical gaze, accepted the gift and answered, “God bless you! – God bless you for this!”
The little girl is older now. So am I, but we’re still children – God’s children. I just needed a reminder that day of heartbreaks and teddybears from our Father. As the aged little girl limped across that street with her things in a knapsack, the big brown and dirty teddy bear she held to her heart like a child was my heart’s reminder…
bill (cycleguy)
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 2:11 am
Good story Floyd. You are so right about what we all need-love-maybe in a different way, but we all need it. She had it in that small act of a gift.
Floyd
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 3:31 pm
I’m with you, Bill. We all need something. We’re all designed by God in similar ways. Such a heartbreak to see it in these type of people. Thanks, Bill.
Jason Stasyszen
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 10:43 am
I’m always amazed how these sorts of moments affect us–sometimes even more deeply than they affect the ones we give to. It is more blessed to give than receive. We’re participating with and moving in the love and compassion of our Father. What a joy that is! Great reminder, Floyd. Thanks.
Floyd
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 3:33 pm
Yeah. The image of her walking with that limp across the crosswalk with that worn out teddy bear against her heart is etched into my memory now… Definitely better to give than receive, and yet we need to receive. Thanks, Jason.
Lainey Patterson
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 10:44 am
It was so nice of you guys to offer her help! I’m so often afraid when I see
someone like her that they’re on drugs or crazy. Never know if we might end up in her shoes someday…
Floyd
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 3:35 pm
Wow. That’s a sobering thought, Lainey… When we give or help out of a compassionate heart from God it works out I guess. When I see these type of things I always remember, “But by the grace of God, there go i… Thanks, Lainey.
tcavey
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 11:43 am
Thanks for reminding us we are all God’s children…all deserve and crave love.
Just this morning I heard a story that has my heart sad. A person I know was talking about someone I don’t know. She was telling me how this other person isn’t very nice to her step child…she wasn’t abusive, but she was harder on that child than her own. It made my heart ache for that little boy who only wants loves.
Why do we treat people differently? Why do we decide some are worth more love than others? Why can’t we just love everyone?
I guess because only God can do that and it’s only through Him that we have a prayer of loving everyone equally.
Floyd
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 3:37 pm
Very well said, TC. We all have need, and yet we don’t always find the compassion love ourselves that we expect the rest of the world to have. It’s a tough walk in soul cage, TC. I’d say you summarized this spot on. Thanks.
Dan Black
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 12:51 pm
Great story and perspective. It’s about seeing people and life through God’s eyes and not our own.
Floyd
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 3:39 pm
Great call, Dan. When we see with our eyes we only use the physical act of instinct. When we see with the heart of God the world looks completely different. Great point! Thanks, Dan.
Betty Draper
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 2:14 pm
Your story was a reminder I would rather ere on the side of giving instead of the side of holding back. God bless you brother for helping her…that may be the only spot of encouaging love she had that day or for that matter a long time. Have been totally reminded lately through a neice of ours how important loving some one is even if we don’t agree with their lifestyle.
I just read you were at a California beach for Easter…sure wish I had known that , would have invited you and family for dinner. Blessings
Floyd
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 3:43 pm
I’m learning more or gaining more wisdom in the same way as you, Betty. True love isn’t partial or biased. How well we know the life and teaching of our Savior and yet we falter in this flesh. We need to be mindful and it helps having fellowship, even in written comments like this. Thanks, Betty.
I can’t remember exactly what part of CA you’re in. I think your farther north. We’re in north county, San Diego. How I’d love to break bread with you and Ace!
Hazel Moon
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 5:30 pm
We do grow older, but inside we are still children at heart, wanting love and acceptance. Thank you for offering a gift to this daughter of someone. I liked your statement: “little boys get older, more sophisticated, a bit cynical, and insecure enough to hide true feelings and hide behind the mask of indifference; but it’s just an act, they too are still living with the hopes, dreams, and desires they were born with.” Boys are learning to soften up a bit and reach out with tenderness – – I can see it from here. Thank you for sharing at “Tell Me a Story.”
Floyd
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 @ 8:26 am
I tend to see people in a different light these days. I can look into aged eyes and see the younger version of them. Likewise, when I look into young eyes I can see what they will tend to be in the future. The souls are ageless… and all created in love… I’m getting softer for sure… Never thought that would happen! Thanks for letting me share this at “Tell Me a Story!”
Ngina Otiende
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 5:31 pm
Great story Floyd, so many lessons here. Lessons on marriage, on the condition of our hearts, on dreams, on seeing people as He does, of seeing ourselves in others. thanks for this reminder today.
Floyd
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 @ 8:27 am
Funny, I thought of you a couple of days ago before I posted it. What an awesome God to make us to be able to learn more and more and when done with His heart in mind it seems endless! Thanks, Ngina.
Mike
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 6:36 pm
I had to Tweet that. It’s so easy to become cynical on our part to seeing people like you described. She is someone’s child, God’s child and we should see people more that way. You really hit a good point about marriage. When we stop treating each other with respect and love the relationship begins to deteriorate. I’ve experienced that before on both fronts and I’m glad God was a big enough part of our marriage to fix it. Thanks Floyd, that post was one of your best for me.
Floyd
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 @ 8:30 am
Wow. Thanks, Mike. I guess me sitting at that stop light at that particular moment in time wasn’t a coincidence… How amazing is our Father? I’m with you on the other points as well, Mike. I speak about most things from experience… The hard way… Kinda the same path you walked upon, brother!
Lincoln Parks
Monday, April 1, 2013 @ 8:07 pm
This touched me. We are all still his children no matter how we look and feel. So we need to make sure that more people like this know about God and by being radical we can change lives and not care about who the person is, only that they are a child of God.
Floyd
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 @ 8:33 am
Amen, Lincoln. That is all that matters. If our Father created their soul, they are special… Thanks for sharing that. I appreciate that heart and perspective. Thanks, man.
Mia
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 12:19 pm
Dear Floyd
Thank you for capturing the heart of a woman so beautifully!! I am sooo glad you see Pappa’s children through His eyes. Remember Lazarus. Well, I know the world looks at people in a total different way than our glorious God!
Hugs and blessings
Mia
Floyd
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 1:22 pm
Thanks, Mia. We are all just older versions of ourselves aren’t we? The older I get the more I see it. The innocence isn’t completely lost because our Father holds it for us within our hearts. May we learn to see all people as our Father does. God bless you as well, sister.
Joanne Norton
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 8:25 pm
Yep. I’m getting older in my body, but I’m still more and more of a kid in my mind. Especially since I wasn’t a “kid” when I was a kid. And I’m a bit younger than God is, doncha think? He’s the Father, and His local/worldly caregivers are always seeking and searching around and about how they can bless others. I love it… both when free to give and blessed by being given to… such as by my friend Floyd, who touches me with words of encouragement re: my health and my writing. 😉
Blessings….
Floyd
Thursday, April 4, 2013 @ 9:09 am
That title of caregiver is well defined in you… and it all starts with an obedient heart. Thanks for sharing your here. You won’t be down long. Good to hear from you, Joanne. God bless.
Nancy
Thursday, April 4, 2013 @ 3:43 pm
Randy says the same thing when he ministers to veterans – he says he can see the young man in their eyes! Even though the containers wear out, it’s still the same “us” inside!
Never a “co-incidence” with the assignments our Father puts in front of us! Good call. Glad you reached out! Good share!
Floyd
Thursday, April 4, 2013 @ 5:28 pm
Thanks, Nancy. Funny, I think of you now often when I see the homeless and downtrodden… That’s a good thing.
Mary McLeary
Saturday, April 6, 2013 @ 6:20 am
Your descriptive writing allows the reader to see this “old little girl” through you eyes of compassion and reminds him/her not to “become weary of doing good.” I want to see and respond to those in need. Thank you.
Floyd
Saturday, April 6, 2013 @ 11:01 am
Thanks, Mary. Sometimes God has to break our heart a little to get our attention and focus. This was one of those times. I too want to respond as you do and keep an eye out for the souls He places in our paths.
David
Saturday, April 6, 2013 @ 6:06 pm
Great visual picture, Floyd. I wrote a poem once called “Where Have The Dreams Gone”, one of the few I actually gave a title to. We do lose sight of our hopes and dreams in the busyness of living our lives, I’m working on rediscovering mine. Thanks for the vivid reminder that we were all once young and full of dreams and God holds them in store for us if only we have the courage to ask Him to remind us of what they were. And, more importantly, to realize even our hopes and dreams are actually a gift and He wants us to thrive in them if only we have the courage to do so ….
Floyd
Saturday, April 6, 2013 @ 6:47 pm
I’m very impressed how you summed that up with such wisdom and truth, David. Your comment encourages me to be sure I’m rediscovering mine. I’d like to read that poem if it’s convenient, David. And thank you so much for the thoughtful and thought provoking comment. Well done.
Duyanne Manion
Friday, April 19, 2013 @ 7:39 pm
Floyd
When I was younger there were occasions when I ignored people who needed my help.For what ever reason I felt they were not worthy.I am not the same person today,but I will always remember every one of of those times when I could have done something and didn’t.I have helped many people in my life since then,but I can’t forget the ones I didn’t. It is to bad some of us have to get old to find out what really matters.
Floyd
Saturday, April 20, 2013 @ 2:38 pm
Your not alone, D. There was a time when they didn’t even draw my eye from my own selfish agenda… I know you gotta good heart. I probably should have written in this post the fact that the quote to elderly gal was your voice… None of us are perfect, but doing those small things with a compassionate heart is what it’s all about. Thanks for being there and thanks for adding this, D.