We are blessed with three delightful little girls who live next door to us. The family moved in about five years ago. Mom was pregnant with the youngest one at the time. Shortly after this family moved next to us, another family with three little girls about the same age moved in four houses down on the other side.
When the weather is nice, we often have six little girls zooming back and forth in front of our house, on bikes, scooters, or just running. We told them they could use our driveway to turn around (theirs are usually full of cars). Our front yard is often alive with little girls running around squealing with delight.
Apparently, someone behind our houses did not appreciate the squeals. They called Child Protective Service (CPS) and reported that they thought the girls were being abused because they could hear them squealing in the back yard. The poor parents had to go through home inspection and interviews.
I could have told CPS that I’ve never seen three happier children, or two more loving parents. And I could have told them the noise these little ones make are happy noises, and that we love it. But I didn’t find out until CPS had cleared the family.
As I see these little ones playing and happily dancing, I am reminded once again to view the world through the eyes of a child. I am reminded to find time to dance, or play, or squeal with delight. I am also aware that there will be some around me who will try to squash that joy.
“A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.” [Proverbs 17:22 NKJV]
