A few months ago I went to church with my arms out in a 3/4 jacket. At this time psoriasis covered my arms, but I was trying my best to walk in confidence. You would think that church would be the safest place to go and not have to worry. But no matter what, fear is still harvested in the back of my mind.

As my husband and I sat there in the pew enjoying the glorious music, a girl around the age of 6 and her mother made their way down the pew. That’s when my heart started beating real fast, anxiety hit, and I became nervous. I have this complex with kids and my skin, it’s hard for them to comprehend, and kids are usually honest without a filter.

As we sat there I conversed with God, asking him to please calm my mind and my thoughts. I even kind of tried to hide my arms so it wouldn’t be so obvious. I know you might be thinking “why is she intimidate by a 6-year old?” I asked myself the same question, but it’s just something I couldn’t help.

So as the service goes on, I see the girl looking down at my arms. Or it could have been the sparkly bangles she was checking out, I’m really not sure. Anyway, we approached the part of service where the pastor ask the congregation to greet their neighbor with a hand sake, hug or a simple good morning.

As I stood up to greet the people around me, I felt a tap on my leg. I looked down and it was the 6-year old girl with her arms out to embrace me with a hug. It was as if God himself was saying “It’s ok my child.” That day a hug was the cure to my fear.

I never seen that little girl again at church, maybe she sits in a different pew, or goes to a different church. But that hug warmed my heart, and will be something that I will never forget. If there were more people with the heart of that little 6-year old girl the world would be a better place.