88 ~ She Surrendered to God Part 3

 88 ~ Why I Praise Him! By Kay Heitsch

She Surrendered to God Part 3

My desire to move forward in a positive way after Todd's death led me to answer an ad in our local newspaper that was placed by a group called the T4C (Tuscarawas County Council for Church and Community). T4C, a non-profit, ecumenical agency, was looking for "positive" people to serve as boosters in its youth program.

A T4C "youth booster" assists children ages 8-12 who, for various reasons, need a positive role model in their lives. I answered the ad just one month after Todd died. Even though my husband Bill and I have two other children, Shannon and Brandon, I signed up.

At first, I didn't realize what a positive effect it would have on all of our lives. But I gradually became aware that by reading out to help others, I was also helping myself. And taking that step immediately after Todd's death was one of the smartest things I had ever done.

Our first booster child was a cute nine-year-old boy named Ricky. Tall and thin, he had blond curly hair and sad bown eyes. When I met him, he seemed quiet and shy. His mother said he liked to lie on his bed and listen to music. He didn't like to try new things.

Sensing that he was insecure and afraid of failing, I talked quietly with him on Saturday, when he was spending the day at our house.

"Ricky, I said, "in order to succeed, you have to fail. Failure teaches you how to grow and to succeed. Everyone fails. It's normal." Ricky just stared.

To alleviate stress, I began running. I asked Ricky to join me. At first, he was hesitant. "Come on, you have long legs, you'll make a great runner." I offered him a pair of my running shoes. They fit perfectly.

Minutes later, Ricky and I were running down the street together. It wasn't long before I was working hard to keep up with him. From then on, Ricky and I ran together on Saturday.

A few weeks later, Ricky and I agreed to enter a race in a nearby town. Ricky was one of 40 boys and girls who competed in the age nice-and-under category. In the first race of his life, Ricky finished first! He was ecstatic, eyes dancing, grinning from ear to ear. A miraculous change had come over this shy boy as he began to realize his own potential.

I encouraged Ricky to try other things. I suggested tennis lessons. Not long afterward, he came over with several prizes he had won at tennis.

When Ricky's sister, Danyelle, turned eight, I became her booster, too. One day, the two kids were at the piano, playing with the keys. I asked, "Would you like to take piano lessons?" To my delight, they both replied, "Yes!"

All summer, Ricky and Danyelle came over to our house to play and practice the piano. Our family began taking the two kids on our family outings and vacations.

To be continued...