Playmates

 It always amazes me how easily little children make friends.

Today while we were at a friend's house taking communion, there was a young mother there with her four-year-old son. At first Hunter stuck by my side, being quiet and polite in the presence of company but after a little while he casually made friends with this little boy, who was playing paper clips. While there was adult conversation and prayer and Bible-reading going on the two new friends quietly played tigers and other such games underneath the table without being any such disturbance. They were even sharing cookies with each other by the end of the afternoon after quiet time had ended, and parted for the day with a hug.

When we got back to their aunt's house he quickly went downstairs, only to find another little friend who was six-year-old Alannah, the Jackson's cousin. She was jumping off the couch arm onto an inflatable matress and Hunter quickly joined her in her game (not the safest, I know, but he survived). They later played with toys horses and board games and had a splendid time together, as if they had been friends for years.

It made me smile seeing him make friends so easily and effortlessly, having lots of social interactions with all sorts of different people just as a normal and natural part of life. It's not that today was anything new or different, as this sort of friend-making occurs all the time, but today was one of those packed days, and he made friends everywhere he went.

"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

1 Peter 4:8-11

Hunter is 3 years, 8 months old