Walls

I recently read a story written by Catherine Shimozono called (A big job for a little girl). I was very moved when I read the story. It is about a 5 year old girls who decided to make friends with a little boy. The boy had built a wall around himself after losing both his parents. The wall was to keep out more pain because he could not deal with any more pain at the time. The wall worked great, it kept out the pain. It actual worked too well. It kept out things like love and friendship and happiness. They boy was no longer living, just existing. The little girl decided after hearing her mom and aunt talking about the boy that she would help the boy by breaking through the wall.

    First thing she did was to pray to Jesus for help and guidance. Jesus told her to just be his friend. She did. It wasn't easy and it took a lot of time and patience but finally she started seeing changes in the boy. The wall was starting to crumble. At the end of the story the boy spoke the first word he had said since the death of his parents. That word was “friend”. What a beautiful word. Where would we be without friends? The little girl never saw the boy again. I find myself wondering what happened to that boy. Did he finish tearing down that wall and start living again? or Did he rebuild the wall and hide behind it again? I am hoping he starting living again, but we will probably never know. 
    I told this story to the children at my church last week. (We have a time in our service where the children get to come up front and someone tells them a story or talks to them). The kids loved it, so did the rest of the congregation.  I then explained to the kids how some people suffer so much pain they build a wall around themselves,  but they build the wall too well. It not only keeps the pain, out but it also keeps out love and friendship and happiness, so the people quit living they just exist. It is up to each of us to help these people when we find them. It is not easy and it will not happen over night but with the help of God we can get through to these people and help them tear down their walls and start living again. 
    I can't imagine being in so much pain that I would want to build a wall and isolate myself to stop it.  I have had my share of pain and I have done my share of crying but never felt the urge to build a wall and isolate myself.  You my think it is strange the a man would admit that he cries. I don't think there is anything wrong with crying. A Lot of men are too macho to admit they cry. I am sure almost all men have cried at one time or another. Most do it when they are alone that way they can deny they cry and keep their image. Crying is part of the grieving process. You need to cry to grieve properly. Crying also relieves stress. I have heard of men who will put the saddest movie they can find on the TV and cry like a baby. After the movie is over the stress is gone and they are ready to continue with life.  All I have to do is pick up a good book and all the emotions come out of me. I laugh at the funny parts and cry at the sad parts, If you could see me you would laugh, sometimes when I am reading I get so emotional I have tears running down my face. there is nothing I like better then reading a good book.  
    I have seen families where parents will not allow there kids to have emotions. They spank their kids then tell them not to cry or they will get spanked again. This is so wrong. Kids need to be able to show all of their emotions.
    I am a great fan of the the American Indian. They knew how to take care of mother earth and only took what they needed. White man came along with all their greed and started destroying the delicate balance. The only thing I don't like about the American Indians is that they were not allowed to show emotions. The American Indian thought is was a sign of weakness to show emotions.  I disagree. Showing emotion is a part of life and every man, woman and child should have the right to show emotions wherever and whenever then want, but they have to show respect for others around them too.  We all have to live on the old earth together so a little give and take is good for everyone. 

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