Elsie the worldchanger

I was pouring myself an afternoon cup of coffee when she came to the kitchen door. "Sis, do you want to see what I found in the water?" I turned to look at my eight-year-old sister in the doorway, her inquisitive eyes saying just as much as her mouth. I couldn't help but smile at her.

Elsie is unlike any other eight-year-old girl that I know. She is equally tomboy and lady. She carried worms around in her pockets before she was two, bestowing kisses on their "heads" before sending them back to their underground homes. Yet she is every bit a girl, one who loves nail polish and lace and well-coordinated outfits and princess movies. She has a quick mind, a saucy tongue, a gentle spirit, and the sweetest, most sincere heart a person could imagine.


I stopped to observe her for a second as she stood in the doorway, framed by the afternoon light. Despite the lingering chill in the March air, she was dressed in navy capris and a short-sleeved shirt that matched her eyes. Her bare feet and calves were covered in mud and scratches from scrambling in the creek all afternoon, and she had dirt smudges on her cheeks.

"Okay," I said. "What did you find?" "Frog eggs!" she exclaimed. as she ran over to a bucket of water sitting atop the table on the back deck. She stuck her hands in the water and carefully pulled out a large, opaque gel-like glob with dark specks throughout. I just stared at her and chuckled. Where did this child come from? I wondered.


She proceeded to tell me all about frogs and their eggs, the kind of frog that produce these eggs, and how the tadpoles grow and leave their eggs. She held that slimy glob with such tender care, and spoke with knowledge and sincere interest in the baby frogs. The neigbor's dog ran over, curious to see what all the fuss was about. She gently held the glob for the dog to look at and smell. Again, I smiled.


As I looked down at her gentle hands with their long fingers and well-shaped nails, I had to wonder what God has in store for her life. If she, as a strong, confident, gentle girl is capable of such love and affection for a slimy glob of frog eggs, what does God have planned for her heart the future? I don't think I can begin to comprehend the things she will be capable of loving later on in life, as her precious heart deepens and expands, and as she comes to know and love God more completely.


In that moment, standing on the back deck staring at those frog eggs, I knew that I want to see as Elsie sees, and love as Elsie loves. One day, perhaps when I grow up, I will be like Elsie, who can change the world because she loves frog eggs.