The smile of a little girl

Sound of joy and laughter from the children flowing around the backyard open-garden pathway. They run along the stone path, lawns and wooden gates in the neighborhood and arrive the backyard coffee shop of 6-year-old Lin’s home.

“Happy Birthday! This is for you!” A little girl, same age as Little Lin, presents a bouquet of flowers picked from her garden to Little Lin who is her new friend and drawing at that time.

“Ah....” It is the first time Little Lin receives a birthday present and does not know what to do; her face blushes and she returns softly with “thank you”.

Little girl and the other children are happy because they have finished delivering their birthday present to Little Lin. They run along the path to the next neighbor, then to the hundred years’ Japanese dessert shop, and turn back to the coffee shop which is owned by Little Lin’s parents. Her parents are pleased to see Little Lin’s innocent smile and happy that they made the right decision: gave up their high paid jobs and moved from Tokyo to this traditional town Obuse where backyard gardens in the neighborhood are open to everyone to pass through.

The community is like a family. Children can run safely in any backyards and there is close contact between neighbors. Little Lin used to live in Tokyo without playmates and lonely; however, after her family moved to Obuse, she feels more comfortable communicating with people, and develops from an introvert to a more talkative and cheerful girl.

Children in Asian or North American city or town, outside or inside of churches, have significant differences in personalities. Different surroundings can lead to different personalities. Parents always want to provide the best for their children. However, what is the best for them?

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)