Everyone is Loved
I am in Ecuador; I am enjoying good food and remembering memories from my childhood. One of the things we take for granted in the United States is the driving ability of those around us. We can complain about how people drive and we attach stigmas to certain places, like Los Angeles — but once you have ridden or driven in a third world country, you understand that most US drivers are pretty good. It is easy down here to criticize and yell and honk and wave arms at people — I have only been here 24 hours and I have wanted to punch several other drivers (and a few pedestrians). But I met some people today that helped put that all into perspective.
I was privileged to visit a home for abandoned children today. You may know that my sister, Stacey, runs a home for abandoned children called Precious Miracles. Her philosophy is that every child is a precious miracle of God. Each child has a story — some are tamer than others. Some kids are permanently damaged while others appear to be fine and hopefully will never have to know about their beginnings.
I met a little girl today — I will not mention her name, nor put her picture here in order to protect her future — who has a story that is unbearable. I am hesitating and nervous to type further. I will start with her condition now, for it is far more positive. She is a beautiful little girl with a full head of hair. Her hair is dark, curly and thick. She has bright, black eyes and healthy, chubby cheeks. Her body shows a few remnants of casts and bandages, but she is mobile and will fully recover. In other words, she will be given the opportunity to live a largely normal life because there are people like Stacey who care.
The reason and manner she was abandoned are the difficult part. What follows is highly disturbing; be warned. This little girl was unwanted by her mother. As the father of three, I find it difficult to fully comprehend this, but I realize this is common all over the world. But it is not only common in third world countries; it is common in our United States — in our counties and our cities. For a variety of reasons, parents find themselves wishing they were not parents. This little girl’s mother lashed out in a way that almost denies her humanity.
The mother broke all four of the little girl’s limbs: both of her legs and both of her arms were broken. Then the mother pulled the little girl’s hair out of her scalp. It is simply a miracle of God that this little girl could have endured all of that and today looks up at me from her bed with bright eyes. And there were more. A little boy dropped from the second story of a building. The daughter of a prison prostitute. Kid after kid that should not be alive, and yet they are.
As we sat in traffic on the way home after visiting these kids, I noticed a man in the car next to me. I could not help but think that no matter who he is or how he drives or how he parents or how he was treated as a kid — that no matter what, someone loves him. And if there is not a single person on earth who loves this man that there is a God — Jesus Himself — loves this man.
I guess I am overwhelmed by the concept that Jesus loves E V E R Y O N E. I am inundated with the concept that God is love. My hope is that I and my family and those who I influence will love others in the name of Jesus.
Good thoughts Zac! Let Stacey know we are praying for her and her ministry.