Sarah is involved in the local early intervention program for her speech issues. The school she attends has children with various issues ranging from speech to autism of varying degrees. Of the several things that I like, one in particular stands out.
This is the use of the word "friend" when the teachers are talking about any of the students. They will walk in to the classroom and cheerily say, "Good morning, Friends!" They will try to cheer up an unhappy child by saying, "Oh, there are our friends! Let's go see them!" It isn't unusual for them to point to another child and simply help the child they are working with to acknowledge the other child by saying something like, "Oh look! There is our friend, Johnny! Let's say, 'Hi, Johnny!'"
This is a very powerful word. This word creates a calmness in some very intense situations. Granted, the teachers are almost saints with the patience they have with these kids, but "friend" is such a perfect word.
Imagine what Jesus did for us in John 15:15--Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
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