I wrap my arms around his frail body. He is marked with wounds that testify to the mistreatment that he once faced. His wounds are healing, but they aren't disappearing; they're leaving scars. To me, it reflects the emotional wounds that he has, and I pray that those are also healing.
As I hold this little boy, 4 years old and just 17 pounds, I think of all that he's experienced. Just one week ago he was trapped in a pit. How did he survive? Did he even cry? My heart breaks and cries out to God - how could He allow something like this to happen? Why didn't God bring this little boy to GSF months ago. But He did - why did we ever give him back to the family? This could've been avoided. It was ALMOST avoided.
And yet God didn't work things out that way. In His sovereignty, he allowed this little boy to go through this horrifying experience that nearly led to death. But it didn't lead to death; God rescued this little life. He loves this little boy more than any of us do. God could've brought him to GSF months and even weeks ago, but He had other plans. God protected his life because He wasn't done with it. I believe God sent an angel to sit with this little boy during each hour and day in the pit. The angel kept him from being crushed or drowned in the muck he was sitting in. God brought a villager to the pit to rescue him, and it was God that brought him to safety here at GSF. I praise God who heard this boy's cry and rescued him from the pit.
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:1-3
It doesn't make sense that this little boy is alive, but he is. It's a miracle that testifies to God's redemption, grace, and love. But in reality, each of our lives are a miracle that testifies to God's redemption, grace, and love. Spiritually, we are all in a pit before God's saving hand reaches down and saves us. It is a pit of sin that we could never climb out ourselves. But God knows we are there, and He sent His son to rescue us and make us new again. Maybe we have scars in our life, but let them remind us of God's saving grace.
And I cry out to God, begging Him to heal this little boy. Although he will probably always remain with scars, both physical and emotional, may they be used as a reminder of God's saving grace.
God isn't done with this child's story; let's all pray for this little boy as God continues His story of redemption.
"Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption." Psalm 130:7
As I hold this little boy, 4 years old and just 17 pounds, I think of all that he's experienced. Just one week ago he was trapped in a pit. How did he survive? Did he even cry? My heart breaks and cries out to God - how could He allow something like this to happen? Why didn't God bring this little boy to GSF months ago. But He did - why did we ever give him back to the family? This could've been avoided. It was ALMOST avoided.
And yet God didn't work things out that way. In His sovereignty, he allowed this little boy to go through this horrifying experience that nearly led to death. But it didn't lead to death; God rescued this little life. He loves this little boy more than any of us do. God could've brought him to GSF months and even weeks ago, but He had other plans. God protected his life because He wasn't done with it. I believe God sent an angel to sit with this little boy during each hour and day in the pit. The angel kept him from being crushed or drowned in the muck he was sitting in. God brought a villager to the pit to rescue him, and it was God that brought him to safety here at GSF. I praise God who heard this boy's cry and rescued him from the pit.
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:1-3
It doesn't make sense that this little boy is alive, but he is. It's a miracle that testifies to God's redemption, grace, and love. But in reality, each of our lives are a miracle that testifies to God's redemption, grace, and love. Spiritually, we are all in a pit before God's saving hand reaches down and saves us. It is a pit of sin that we could never climb out ourselves. But God knows we are there, and He sent His son to rescue us and make us new again. Maybe we have scars in our life, but let them remind us of God's saving grace.
And I cry out to God, begging Him to heal this little boy. Although he will probably always remain with scars, both physical and emotional, may they be used as a reminder of God's saving grace.
God isn't done with this child's story; let's all pray for this little boy as God continues His story of redemption.
"Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption." Psalm 130:7
