Typically on Sunday mornings, I will attend church at a local children’s home, New Jerusalem. It is always a blessing to sit and worship with a powerful group of children and young adults.
Sunday morning church, a few months ago at NJM…there are around 50 kids, youth now
This particular Sunday, however, a deeper reality began to set in when two six-year-old boys and one five-year-old boy began fighting over who would sit in my lap. I know, I know, I would fight over my lap too, but it was getting out of hand. Pushing, shoving, my hair flying every which way, it was intense! Now two of them are brothers and have an “entitlement” to me kind of attitude. It has been almost a year that I have been in their lives so rightfully so. It is understood throughout the home about their said entitlement, but the newer children have not quite caught on.
the younger brother
the older brother
Now this other six-year old has only been around for a month and a half, still trying to sort things out in his head. That day, he continuously attempted to force his way onto my lap, pushing the other two out of range. Once firmly planted, he held on for dear life, wrapped his legs around mine and made sure that my hands were tightly clinched around him. He desperately wanted my attention, my love that he has seen the other two experience. Then, Joshua (leader of the home) motioned for the little kids to sit in the front so church could begin. As five-year-old Saw Kha Thoo turned around to smile at me from afar, the reality set in.
They, these little ones, are seeking and searching for love, but not just any love…a motherly or fatherly love. When I look into their eyes, I see their longings. When I watch their actions, I see their desire for a momma and papa of their own, especially the two brothers.
At Saturday morning sports
As I sit here and ponder, I realize that I just happen to be that motherly figure for some of these little guys and they know it.
