Maria
Hi.
Imagine a little girl in a crowded marketplace. At first glance, she is a regular looking girl. She is the kind of girl that you casually see and then turn away, but something about her calls out to you. You turn back to gaze at her, but she is gone. She is lost in the crowd. As the people move at different speeds around you, you catch a glimpse of her again. You get up and follow her, eyes fixed upon her. She is not normal. She is not regular. She lacks the glow that little kids should have. She is just a toddler. She is dirty. You follow her closely. Sometimes the crowd creates a distance between you and her. When you are close, you learn more about her. She is very dirty. Something else stands out. She is alone. She is not alone in the way a child should be alone. In this setting a child like that should be in a frantic scramble to find her mother. But this child is calm. She is alone. She is lonely. She seems to be moving with a calm purpose amid the hustling crowd. She rarely looks up. Her eyes are pinned to the ground, sometimes soaring up to knee-level. She suddenly darts away from you. Not because she notices you following her, but because she has found something. When you see her again she is sitting on the curb, eating a small piece of bread. You look around but fail to see where the bread could have come from.
As dusk sets in, the marketplace slowly drains of people. The vendors are packing their things. The customers are leaving. A pair of vendors see the girl and talk about her. A customer overhears them and joins in the conversation. He pulls out a cell phone and makes a short call. Soon he is gone. Some time passes and the girl has found some steps to rest on. She appears to be sleeping. The last of the vendors are leaving when a van drives up. It has the Red Cross symbol on the side. A lady emerges and approaches the young girl. She asks the girl some questions, but gets no reply. She picks up the girl and puts her in the van.
The van drives to a small building with three beds. Two young boys are already there. The little girl is placed in the other bed. She simply sits on the bed. The lady places a call. Some time passes and a second car pulls up. A lady with long hair comes in and looks at the girl. She offers to take the little girl with her. The Red Cross can do very little for the little girl. The long-haired lady will care for the little girl. She has a home for abandoned children. The two boys ask if they can go, as well. Unfortunately, they are too old. They are nine and ten years old. The long-haired lady tearfully leaves them and drives the little girl to her home.
When they arrive home, the long-haired lady attempts a physical examination of the little girl. We will call the little girl Maria. The long-haired lady notices a lice infestation in Maria’s hair. As she pulls her own hair back, she realizes this is the worst infestation she has ever seen. There are so many that the normally invisible creatures are visible as they crawl over each other. The only option is to shave Maria’s hair. The clumps of bugs fall down Maria’s neck. The long-haired lady cleans up the mess. The long-haired lady is usually good at determining the age of children, but this one is difficult. She appears to be about two or three years old. It is hard to tell when the children are malnourished. She begins a bath for Maria. When she places Maria in the water, Maria’s face twists in confusion. She slowly drops one hand, then the other into the water. She tries to grab the water. The long-haired lady pours water on her newly-shaved head. Maria’s eyes open widely, then shut tightly as water enters them. Her mouth does the same. It is clear to the long-haired lady that Maria has never been in a warm bath before. She scrubs her, dries her, and dresses her in some warm pajamas.
Maria refuses physical contact from anyone. The other children in the home are introduced to her and she moves shyly away from them all. The long-haired lady takes her into the kitchen and Maria sees the trash can. Maria immediately runs over to it and begins to dig through it for food. The long-haired lady picks her up and sits her down at the table. She brings her some rice. Maria slowly eats.
A couple of days pass. The situation with Maria is much different now. She has adapted quickly to her new environment. She is still shy around people, but enjoys playing with some of the toys. Many toys make noises she has never heard before. She has never seen a television before and finds the colors fascinating. When it is time to eat she runs with the others to the table, sits down, and folds her hands for prayer. She does not speak very much. The long-haired lady wonders if Maria will ever speak of her past. She wonders if someone will ever come to claim the child. She wonders how long this little girl will live with her. She is happy to have Maria with her. Maria is safe; she is warm; she is fed.
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The above story is a true story. We have been enjoying my little sister’s company this past week here in Colorado. For those of you who do not know her, she lives in Ecuador, where she has a home for abandoned children ( www.preciousmiracles.org). She is the long-haired lady. A little girl (we will still call her Maria) recently moved into Stacey’s house. If Maria remains with Stacey, it will be Stacey’s goal to have the child adopted to a loving family. It is reasonable to think that someday, Maria will come back to Stacey and want to know her history. All Stacey must do is explain to Maria that she was near death and that Precious Miracles gave her what she needed and Maria will feel a sense of gratitude. We can imagine Maria crying and thanking Stacey. We can imagine Maria’s life being changed because she realizes what the adoption has meant for her.
You know that the Apostle Paul says, “This saying is trustworthy” five times in his writings. In his letter to Titus he adds, “and I want you to insist on these things.” Here is the full context:
Titus 3:4-8 – 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
Paul is saying here that we are saved (justified) by grace, and through that we become heirs of God. In another letter, Paul tells us we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). This means that whatever our Father (God) has as an inheritance now belongs to us. It belongs to us as well as to His Son, Jesus. And this inheritance is eternal life. I remember using the analogy in one of my messages of God as a little league coach. Justification is our salvation – it is like being on a team that always wins. We win every game. But at the end of the game, after the pizza party, when parents normally come to pick up their kids, God calls out to us and says, “Hey. Come home with me. You are part of my family.”
Think about Maria. If you found out your past was identical to hers, what would you do differently with your life? Now dwell on the fact that you were headed towards death. But you were saved. You were not just saved off the street, but you were adopted into a home. You were loved. You were cared for. You were given everything you needed. In a few years we will be in heaven. That will be the real Family Reunion – with all the people that God has adopted throughout history. Right on!
What are you going to do with your life now? Paul tells us what to do in verse 8 – We should devote ourselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. In light of our adoption, we should be ready to dedicate our lives to God. What good thing are you going to do this week?
Last week, I asked you for names of people to pray for. I have attached a picture (waodani.jpg) with the names. I have prayed for all of these people and for the ones who sent their names to me. I hope you will pray, too. Even if you didn’t send me a name, open the picture, and pray for the names. They are going to hear about Jesus soon. If you did send me a name, the time is now. GO talk to them about Jesus.
I love you all.
-z
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