A what?

If a person who studies biology is a biologist and a person who studies chemistry is a chemist, what is a person who studies literature called? A literist, of course! Don't worry if you didn't know the answer; "literist" is actually a brand new word (I made it up a few weeks ago). I was in the process of writing a research paper about Marianne Moore, an American poet. I used the word literist thinking that it actually existed, only to be told by spell check, the dictionary, my dad, and my English teacher that no such word was a part of the English language. Oh well, it makes perfect sense to me! Maybe one day it will make it into our everyday vocabulary and then you will be able to say that you were among the first to know about it.

Sebastian

Have you ever seen something that made your heart hurt? I mean literally ache inside your chest? Maybe it is just me that experiences these feelings; I am an extremely sensitive person, perhaps too sensitive at times. Well I only saw him once, but Sebastian made my heart hurt.

I don't really know anything about him. I don't know where he is from. I don't know what his home situation was that left him to be cared for by the state and a foster family. I don't know how long he has been a victim of the heart-wrenching circumstances over which he has no control. I can't imagine how terrifying it must be for him to feel unwanted and all alone in a world that can be so dark and cold. All I know is the expression on his precious 4-year-old face and the tears that spilled out of his big brown eyes. The spaced-out baby teeth that showed when he finally got up enough courage to smile. All I know is that it isn't fair.

I've been so privileged to grow up in a safe and healthy environment with a loving family. I have two wonderfully supportive parents and two beautiful and talented sisters. I have received an Adventist education through all my years of school and I have had opportunities for travel and service that far exceed my age. But why me? Why not him?

Maybe I have been created with a sensitive heart for a reason. Maybe this is just one more experience to strengthen my already-strong desire to spend my life in service. I may not be able to make a difference for Sebastian, but could I for someone else?