It was a beautiful summer morning. The
overwhelmingly sweet smell of freshly manicured lawns made His nose
itch and his eyes water. In every tree, the early morning birds sang
out to their flightless neighbors the promises of a new day. He
delighted in their chorus as they each went about boasting to the
others the magnificence of its voice and beauty of its feathers with
all the flourishing and grandeur of pompous fairy tale kings.
He loved His walks with her every
morning. Keeping one eye on her and another on His surroundings, he
silently gave thanks for the little girl that went skipping ahead of
Him. Her little denim cover alls were stained with the week’s grime,
her shoes had holes, her hand-me-down shirt was too big, her long
brown hair was loose and in a constant knot. The dirt on her face did
a fair job of nearly blotting out those big brown eyes but as she
turned to Him, He saw His reflection in the cavernous depths of her
pretty eyes. He lived for and rejoiced in moments when she turned and
looked up at Him with such lovely innocence.
But in the deep pools of this little
girl’s eyes he also saw the things she began to believe of herself.
She was ugly. All the other children told her so. And if she were a
good little girl, if she listened all the time then maybe mommy would
be better and daddy would come home. Maybe then she could have a new
and pretty dress and the other little boys and girls wouldn’t laugh
at her anymore. Or maybe she should have been a boy. Daddy always
wanted a boy and got her instead. Maybe then she wouldn’t be teased.
But He knew her heart was too wild. He loved that about her. Unable
to be tamed she was meant for things much greater than this little
town had to offer. He loved His little princess. Oh, if they only
knew. If only SHE knew that a time would come when the world would
soon see Glory written in the scars they left her. But first things
first. Today He had something for her. A gift. He couldn’t wait for
her to get it. He prayed she would understand even at such a young
age.
A man across the
street called out to Him, interrupting His prayers over His little
girl. He took her hand and walked across the street to this stranger
and stood for a moment embracing and being embraced. They spoke with
such a depth of love and respect, but this towering man made the
little girl nervous. Unsure of how to respond to him she hid behind
His leg. She felt safe where she could peak her dirty, sticky little
face around to watch this interaction.
With a warm and
inviting smile the stranger got face level to the little girl and
held out his hands to her. In them was a precious, invaluable gift
and he wanted her to have it. He prayed she would take it. It was so
important for her. He put His hand on her fragile little shoulder and
encouraged her to look, to see the beauty of this gift. She peered
around His leg again. Her eyes grew wide under the dirt stains and
she reached out her hand to this stranger. For an instant she was
wooed and awed by those open hands and the gift she had so
desperately wanted but in an another instant she remembered who she
was. She remembered she does not know this man, and as suddenly as
she showed her face and excitement, she turned back to hide behind
the safety of Him. To what right had she of this gift? Momma was
still so sad and so sick, and dadda hadn’t come back. And what would
the others think? But she wanted it with such intensity the tears
that fell left clear traces down the side of her face.
He tried to explain
to her. To tell her that the gift came from Him, He arranged for them
to be given to her and He’s so excited and so desperately wanted her
to have them. He needed her to receive them. But could not force her
to take what was in front of her.
He knew how she
desperately wanted that gift. But staring up at that man, holding out
so freely the thing she desired most seemed too terrifying. Filled
with compassion He picked her up held her tightly in His strong arms,
kissed her and told her again “Don’t be afraid. We want you to
have these, little one.” Still she tucked her face into His
shoulder, shaking her head. So He whispered like the summer breeze
into her ear “Daughter, I love you. I want to give you perfect
gifts, and show you something new. But I can’t unless you learn to
first receive these things.” She slowly turned to look at this man
again. He was so big, so caring and she could see fire in His eyes.
She giggled. Blushed. And took her gift. Filled with joy He set her
down. She spun herself around, the pure white garments flowing
outward. She beckoned them both to come close. Putting her small
hands on each of their cheeks and blushing, she gave them each kisses
before turning and running down the street. Filled with pure joy and
excitement she ran ecstatically with her first perfect gift. He
celebrated as He watched her. Now He could begin showing and giving
her gifts beyond her wildest dreams. Before continuing down the
street after His princess, He turned to the man next to Him. “Thank
You, Father.”
