Convicted by a Three Year Old
Yesterday we had children from several of the care points we work at come to our base to work on an art project. The compound was covered with children that I had never seen before. Immediately there was one child that caught my eye. Only about three years old, he was wearing a tattered shirt, had no pants and was dowsed in dirt. Many of the children laughed at him because he was covered in his own filth; having no bladder control, every time he stood he would wet himself. He was just a baby but was old enough to be hurt by the laughter. I was standing behind him as we were getting organized for the art project and I watched as another little boy, also about three, held his hand and sat with him. I saw this little boy reach out in ways that, not only the other children wouldn’t, but that many of us wouldn’t. As I watched this three year old reach out to the untouched, unsought-out, filthy and beautiful little boy I was convicted. I saw Jesus. Our arms were made to embrace, to love, to touch and to reach out to those that are shunned. Had I forgotten? I knew what I was called to do. I took the beautiful little boy by the hand and brought him inside. I got to bathe him and clothe him, it was a beautiful and holy moment. We wrapped him up in an oversized towel and gave him a new shirt that fully covered him. Reaching out to the untouched, restoring dignity, seeing a little boy who holds the hand of his unclothed, untouched peer… this is love and this is Christ. I don’t believe that boy saw the nakedness of his friend, I think that he saw a beautiful, beloved child of God. He had Christ’s eyes. May we all see as that little boy, may we reach out to the unclothed and unloved and show them the immense love and acceptance of Christ.
You touched my heart Sydney. I pray that I will be looking for Jesus in others today. I’m praying for you as you are serving Jesus! Blessings~
Wow, Sydney thank you for sharing this. I got chills as I was reading it and could see how God was holding that little boy close and overflowing Him with love through the other little boy. I especially love “Our arms were made to embrace, to love, to touch and to reach out to those that are shunned.” Amen….so often I forget that. This hit me straight in the heart. Thank you again for sharing it!
Sydney this is beautiful. We too easily forget that we were made for these things: to hug, to love, and to reach out. This is an amazing picture of Christ at work. Thank you for sharing it with us! I love you and miss you a ton but I know God is using you and your team in mighty ways. Continue to love beyond your own strength and pour out everything you have. You were made for this, we all were. Love you friend.
Wow! Thank you for being there for God’s precious children.
May I use this at my blog which often focuses in on missions and Swaziland?
Syd,
I am so excited for the ways the Lord is growing and teaching you. It was great to see how the Lord really humbled you and gave you an example of who Jesus is. I love you and I am excited for the journey ahead of you. You are a strong and beautiful woman of God. Continue to humble yourself at his feet.
Chelsea
“Our arms were made to embrace, to touch, to love, to reach out,…” Thanks so much for this reminder! It made me think of the verse that tells us to “extend our hand to the poor and needy” but God is calling us to much more than just extending our hand and you are doing that right now in Swaziland. Very touching to hear how God is using you to love the orphans in Swaziland.