My daughter has a 'friend' who has a little boy. Timmy (not his real name) is almost three. He's not yet potty-trained, doesn't talk as well as other kids his age, and he's solid - about 40 pounds.
Timmy is quiet. He doesn't make a lot of noise when he plays. He's well-behaved. If you tell him it's time to take a nap during play time, he will come and lie down beside you even if he doesn't fall asleep. He's really no trouble at all, except to his mother. She's beaten him so much that he's learned to be obedient to all adults. His mom likes to have fun, and her son doesn't permit her to have as much fun as she would like. So Timmy's mom frequently asks my daughter to take care of him even though my daughter spends most of her time being medicated while fighting cancer. She's in no shape to take care of someone else's child, but Timmy's mom is willing to take that chance so that she can 'have fun'.
Timmy likes to sit in my lap in the car and pretend he's driving. We're sitting in the driveway. When he rides in my grandson's battery powered Gator, he doesn't cry if he can't steer but sits quietly in the passenger seat and enjoys the ride. He's a good kid. But I worry about his future.
Timmy's dad isn't around. He's a drug pusher who spends more time trying to con people out of money than he does taking care of his son. Timmy is an inconvenience to his mother and father. Rather than spend money on daycare where Timmy can learn social skills and his ABCs, his mom chooses to spend her money on drugs and alcohol. That's why she asks my daughter to watch him for her - my daughter doesn't work so she's got nothing better to do right? Timmy has had to go with my daughter for chemo treatments because his mom didn't show up when she promised; but he's a good kid and sits in his chair and doesn't say much.
I don't want my daughter to have anything to do with Timmy's mom, but she loves Timmy. He's got the deck stacked against him: He hardly speaks, he's abused, he's of mixed blood, his parents are barely caretakers at best, he's overweight and under loved. Timmy takes what life throws at him because he's young and knows no better way. I wonder what Timmy will become when he's older? Will he grow up thinking that he's an inconvenience, or will he experience the love and support he deserves? Will he have someone like my daughter who cares about him or will he have to endure the criticism of people who are smarter and better looking than he is?
Please pray for Timmy (God knows who I'm talking about), and for his mom and dad. The world is a tough place for those of us with the advantages Timmy has been denied. I'm proud of my daughter for caring and being willing to sacrifice on his behalf during her own tough times. She's Timmy's Jesus in the flesh.
