But before I introduce you to Teri, I think it is important that everyone has read this short passage from Matthew 19.
13 Then some children were brought to Him so that He may lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
It may seem pretty straightforward as to why that passage is so important to have in your mind when you meet Teri. She loves children. And Jesus loves children. And this blog series is, indeed, called "That Girl Looks Like God". Simple. Blog done.
Not really, though, because there is so much more.
You see, I asked Teri to be a part of this blog series because I saw something that simple in her. I have known her since high school, haven't seen her in years, but I follow her on Facebook. It is so easy to see her love for children, and for the nations, through her "public life". But sitting with her on Sunday afternoon in The Chocolate Bar, I saw so much more.
Children flock to her. Literally. As we were sitting at our table two little girls walked in. They were walking around looking at chocolates, and before I knew it, Teri was their best friend. She was laughing with them about the chocolate toothbrush, and teaching them about the names of the instruments in the store (chocolate instruments of course). And she was so in love. She wasn't just being polite, she truly wanted to be a part of their day.
I know so many people, myself included, who would have been annoyed very quickly with these two girls interrupting their day. We would say "These kids don't have any manners. Can't they see that we are having a conversation? Where are their parents?" But then we would be the disciples in the above story, and we would be making a huge mistake.
Children carry a joy, a faith, and a love that is unparalleled. This is why Jesus says the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. He even says we should become like children* in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. So why are we trying to turn children into adults? Why do we ruin their joy and rain on their parades?
Teri doesn't. She shows them Christ.
Seriously, y'all, this doesn't even scratch the surface. I showed up on Sunday eager to hear about Teri's amazing time in Haiti and her love for the nations. I even recorded our entire conversation so that I could go back through to quote her and piece together the perfect story. But I haven't even listened to it again! I came home thinking "She doesn't even need to use words".
That Girl Looks Like God.
One thing that Teri said that really stood out to me, and has been stuck in my head since Sunday was this: (This isn't a direct quote, because like I said, I haven't listened to the recording.)
God has told me that if I want to only serve in one place, that is fine, but there is so much more that he can do if I will open my heart to all the nations. Honestly, Becki. Coming home sucks. Leaving the orphans [in Haiti] isn't fun. But right now, I can't stay there.
Ugh. Heartbreaking. Seriously, as she said this (after telling me about a newborn that she was able to care for during the first days of his life) her eyes welled up with tears. She spread so much love in Haiti, and to so many children. But she is SUCH A GOOD LISTENER. God told her, Not now, and she listened.
I don't want to speculate on what God is doing in her life, or what he will use her for, but I will leave you with this: What Teri showed me is that loving on the children and orphans in all the nations is so important. Hearing her stories of Africa, and of Haiti, we were able to talk about the call to spread the Gospel to all the nations, and the importance of it.
But we can't choose to only love the children and the orphans when we leave the country. The children right here in our own nation are just as important. Teri reminded me of that. I hope you will take it to heart as much as I did, and go love some children!
*Matthew 18: 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3 and said "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Check out Coreluv, the organization behind the Haiti orphanage Teri has in heart.
Know a Girl that Looks Like God? Nominate her by e-mailing Becki.
Know a Girl that Looks Like God? Nominate her by e-mailing Becki.
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