This little one was crying in a crib when I walked into the room.
He was backed up in the corner looking frightened at the white strangers that just walked in. I wanted to hold him and comfort him but wasn’t sure if he’d let me. So I reached out my arms tentatively and he surprisingly hobbled toward me with the saddest little face. As soon as I picked him up, he became quiet. He stayed in my arms the rest of the time I was there.
Anytime I put him down he started crying and reached out to me. I thought, what have I done?! This boy already has attachment and abandonment issues from being an orphan and living here, I shouldn’t torment him by leaving him forever in an hour. I was tormenting myself just thinking about leaving him there crying as I walked away. But that’s what I had to do.
I can rest assured in knowing that I did exactly what Jesus would’ve done. I gave him my full attention and changed his diaper (my auntie skills came in handy) and loved him for the short amount of time I had with him, knowing he never got that much attention from the limited amount of staff.
God sees the forgotten. He calls us to love and care for them. I was His hands and feet that morning in such a tangible way and I feel honored to have been able to hold this little one.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18
