LEARNING TO DRAW WITH LOVE

Meet Two of Our World Changers of Our World Changer

Over the past seven years, we’ve had a front seat to witness God do some of the most

beautiful transformations in our students. We’ve seen students go from an introverted, shy child to the most beautiful light in the room. We’ve seen children come in experiencing delayed language skills and then become above-level readers, and we’ve seen children who’ve come in with social challenges become the most loving children; ALL glory to God.

He’s also used these transformations, and the students’ honest reactions to situations, to teach us some important life lessons; like what it looks like to genuinely jump in and help others – no reasoning needed, no motive or strings attached, but simply because help is needed. And most recently, we’ve seen how love can draw people together and break down the strongest walls, and that Is the story of two of our most recent students, Claire and Tierney. 

Claire and Tierney came to Sophia Learning Center in the fall of 2023. Claire began our program at the beginning of the school year, and although she knew colors and shapes, her verbal skills had not yet progressed. Instead of responding during a conversation, she could only repeat what was said to her. This made it difficult for Claire to interact with the other students. Through God’s grace, by October, Claire began speaking and responding. Soon her little personality started peeking through and we saw a loving, naturally funny little girl becoming exactly who God created her to be.

Just as Claire was acclimating to the program, Tierney’s parents enrolled her in October of that year. Although Tierney spoke very well when she came to our program, she experienced social challenges and struggled to interact with other children.

One day a student wanted to say good-bye to Tierney before leaving, and as the student came to hug her, Tierney held up her hand and firmly told her, “No!”

As our staff worked to help her to learn to interact with others, another little, unexpected miracle arose.

Interestingly enough, Claire’s conversational speech began to emerge around the same time that Tierney joined the school, and it just so happened that she sat right next to Tierney in the classroom. Soon Ms. Brown began noticing that Claire started reaching out to hold Tierney’s hand; independently, without prompting. Claire also attempted to make Tierney laugh and started engaging her in play and various games.

Claire hugging Tierney at their first Valentine’s Day Party.

These instances may seem small to you, but these little actions of love were exactly what Tierney needed at that time, and God knew it. Claire, unbeknownst to her, was doing exactly what God does to us......He draws us with love.

His word says, in Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” In other words, instead of beating us over the head all of the time, or pushing us when we aren’t ready, He waits for us to be ready. He walks with us through hard situations and sits with us through our pain, gently loving us, gently calling us ...even when we don’t know it; pursuing us through grace and mercy and goodness.

Soon Tierney began reciprocating - picking Claire to be her partner on field trips...eventually hugging...and ultimately calling Claire her best friend!

God knew exactly what these little ones needed and put them together so they could help each other, while teaching us and showing us how love can bring down a wall.

This showing of love has continued over the past three years, and even impacted others. [See photo in top right corner] this is Tierney passing that same love on to another student at Valentine’s Day this past year. Grabbing her hand and just rocking with her to a song, no prompting.

So, we pass this same, beautiful lesson of love lived out in front of our faces on to you. Need to win a family member, a co-worker? Draw them with love, family.

Not sure how? 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 gives us a definition of what REAL love looks like. 4 ”Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Let’s work on drawing others with love, family.

Enrollment Open for the 2026-27 School Year

Let you us help train up your world changer. Enrollment is now open for Sophia Learning Center’s 2026-27 school year. Know a family seeking care? Please help us spread the word. Contact us at 937.503.7003 for more info on how you can help.

Learn more about our programs and enrollment, at https://www.sophialearningcenter.org/programs

Read more stories about our students in our new Meet Our World Changers section on our website.