The school store, where I “hold court”, is a clearinghouse of all kids God ever made.  They are bouncy and shy and sparkly silly.  Some of them come in with no words and take a piece of candy silent and slink out.  Others roar the minute they hit the door.  They know I love them.  I take their candy orders and fill up the bowl to the tippy top and watch them gasp happy when they find their favorite kind.  They are rainbows, every one.

Miss Kaitlyn came in quiet at first, so quiet I barely noticed her for weeks.  She’s as big as a New York minute, barely reaching my shoulder and I’m not giant.  When I take stock, I felt a poise that belied her age.  “You’re only twelve??” I bellowed when I looked her right in the eye and asked her to tell me about her.  She giggled, used to the question.  She and I formed a fast friendship from that day.  She comes in and stands in front of my desk most mornings and afternoons; a start to the day and a period on the end of it.  I have come to look forward to our talks.  I try hard to speak truth into people’s lives as I see it..  Sometimes it’s hard truth meant to exhort, sometimes it’s observation.  “I can see your Creator’s hand on you, my dear,” I told her.  There was an “old soulness” to her that beamed up at me.

Today the tide of kids rushed in after lunch, on their way to class and stopping for a hug and a grab into the candy bowl.  But Kaitlyn stood apart.  She had chosen to go all in with a fast at her church.  She could have picked one thing but she picked a deadly three punch combo; no candy, no social media and an eating plan that consisted of primarily fruits, veggies and lots of water.  “So, I won’t be eating any candy from the bowl for the next 21 days,” she said with no hint of boasting or pride.  Just a steadfast commitment she wanted to keep for reasons  between her and her God.

She came back later at the end of the day.  I told her I’d decided to take her lead and I would fast alongside her.  She nodded a quiet smile and strode out of the store.  As she did, these words in my head followed her.  “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”  1 Timothy 4:12

Miss Kaitlyn is just exactly that to this believer, much older than she.  I’m glad she is my friend.