Lost Boy

I always open the paper and turn on the news saying a silent prayer.  I whisper to myself please Lord, don't let today be the day that something tragic happens to one of my former students.  Please Lord keep them safe.

That fear of something happening to one of my kids became a reality on Christmas Eve.    Adam, 19 years old, was struck by a car and then ran over by the next car.  The first car did not stop.  One of my lost boys was killed by a hit and skip driver.

My heart sank and my eyes welled up with tears.  My mind swirled as I thought about Adam.   He was a boy who never experienced the joy of a peaceful childhood.  He was a lost boy.

I must admit I started to smile the next morning when I recalled some of Adam's colorful office moments.  He told me about a magical tree where you wished for something you wanted and a fairy would bring it to you after school.  It was his reason for having items that didn't belong to him. 

Adam stuck to his story.   Thinking I was smarter than him, I suggested that we walk down to the tree so I could wish for something I wanted. He agreed.  We walked the two blocks to the magical pine tree and I wished for an F-150 pickup.  When it did not appear, Adam told me it was too big to fit under the tree.  When I wished for a new hammer, he told me it was because I was old and tree only worked for kids.

Adam received a detention for calling me old.  We took the time after school to return stolen property to one of the school neighbors. He looked at me and told me that he was just a bad kid.

I placed my hand on his shoulder.  He pulled back.  He had never experienced the gentle caring touch of a man.  I looked him in the eye and fought back my tears.  I swallowed hard searching for the right words.  I calmly said Adam you are not a bad kid.  You just need to think about what is right and make the right choice.  I believe in you.

Adam was blessed with accepting teachers.   He improved.  He continued to be a challenge.  He never knew a peaceful day.  He never experienced the simple joy of childhood.

God did answer a prayer.  I know Adam was forgiven on Christmas Eve.  I know that Lord welcomed our lost boy to a safe and warm home for Christmas.  Finally, Adam was at peace.  A peace that eluded him on Earth.

I thank the Lord for Adam's Hanby teachers.  Teachers did touch his heart.  He knew and experienced acceptance at school.  He knew he was more than a "bad" kid because his teachers told him so.   He also taught us.  He taught us inside every hurting kid is a child wanting acceptance.  A simple child in rags taught us about the power of acceptance.

Adam will always be one of my lost boys.  He will always make me smile when I think of his knucklehead ways.  I am so thankful that he is in the warmth of the Lord's home.  Our lost boy was found and is now at peace.