Dear Isabelle,
Last week your heart broke when you learned about Martin Luther King. You came home from school with a very concerned look on your face and wanting to talk about what you had learned. You wanted to understand more about why people treat people the way that they do and why did someone want to kill a man for wanting freedom. You had a hard time understanding why people judged someone because of the color of their skin and why people use to be slaves when they didn't chose to be.
You and Audrey came home from school earlier this month concerned for a little boy in your class who said he didn't believe in God. You said that the boy in your class said that God does not exist to him. I was proud of you two for the way you handled the situation. You said that you didn't tease him or make fun of him you simply told him that was OK, but that you knew that there was a God and he loves us all. I am proud of you sweet girl. Not everyone is going to share the same opinions you do or even the same values. I am proud of you that you were concerned for him and proud of you that you didn't make fun of him because he believed differently than you.
Your teacher and I recently had a meeting and she told me that you are one of the sweetest most kind children she has had in her class.
Isabelle I am so proud of you for your kindness and compassion. You have a gift. I hope that you will always be kind towards the people that you meet that your heart will break for the things that break God's heart. Compassion is a gift that not everyone has. I pray that you will listen to that feeling when you have it. That you will choose to care for your classmates and friends, pick someone first when they might have been chosen last. That you will choose friends for who they are not because they are cool. It is important for you to know that we love you for who you are. No because you are popular, not because you are the smartest or teacher's pet. It's okay if you don't get straight A's or win any awards. Compassion is more important than the fear of fitting in or following the crowd. Not everyone in this world is going to believe in the same things you are and sometimes you may question your values because of that. You will be judged by people because you believe in God. But you should never substitute your opinion for someone elses. Always be yourself.
We pray that you will continue to chose to follow God, that you will never forget how special you are and that you will never forget how much you are loved.
Love,
Mommy
