Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Sweet Baby Joy


How does the song go?  Jesus loves the little children – red and yellow, black and white – they are precious in his sight.  Here in Zambia, there are literally children everywhere you look.  They are always around whether they are taking care of younger siblings, working, taking care of themselves, walking to school or just playing.  They really are precious – every one of them.  

Another baby was born on Friday afternoon.  Just one of way too many babies born to unwed mothers here in Zambia.  It was so bittersweet to hold baby Joy Chisola in my arms this afternoon.  Incredibly sweet because she is so beautiful and such a treasure; bitter because there is a very high possibility that this baby girl will grow up to also have a baby out of wedlock.  My heart hurts for my friend who had this new baby, her second by the same man who is already married with his own family.  I want to just shake her for what she has done – again.  I want to hold her and help her in any way that I can to navigate life with her two precious daughters.  Heavenly Father, only you know the future and I so earnestly pray that my friend will allow you to make her path straight – straight into your loving arms with total abandon.  Lord, may it be so…

Trust in the Lord will all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6