Her name is Ileana.
She’s 29.
Her mother left her when she was born.
Her grandpa is her father.
Incest birthed her – and shame has cloaked her, her entire life.
From the cradle – she was left unwanted.
Monday through Friday she layed in a holding bed of a nursery facility.
Saturday and Sunday her grandmother put up with her.
This was the first 7 years of her life.
Years of being unloved, unnoticed, undernourished left her behind…
She was sent to a special school.
Forced to learn a trade that took a lot of work – and wasn’t her forte.
When she failed to measure up to her teacher’s expectations – she was beaten.
Sewing for the school – always told she was slow, different, less than.
She stands no more than 5 feet tall and one foot around.
Her bones are feeble – her structure frail.
Her eyes are sunken – as the muscles in her face are depleting.
Sometimes she hides her smile – and her eyes never fully open.
Just two years ago she set out to find her mother.
She’s lived her whole life unwanted – from the cradle she’s sat alone.
Recalling an address – she set out to discover – she was still unwanted, unnoticed, unloved.
Meeting her at the gate – her grandmother coldly dismissed her.
“I don’t know where your mother is. I won’t tell you anything. Go from here. She has a new family.”
See when Ileana’s mother left her as a baby – she left home, got married and started a new family.
A family without shame.
Jealously shudders in the heart of her grandma – whom Ileana recalls, sent her away without even a cup of water.
The mystery still remains…why has she been forced to live life in this cage?
A woman who resembles the sunshine.
She bubbles over in love.
She loves to sing – and hum – and give hugs.
Her presence carries gentleness, timidity – and a desire to trust.
Lord how could my love ever be enough?
Lord how could my love ever be enough?
This daughter of yours…tattered, worn, and scarred by the world…
Now I remember – it’s Christ in me that makes her smile – that shows her love.
It’s because You are my portion – that Your love overflows…and every hug, every smile, every moment spent with her is breathing life, and healing, and wholeness into the deepest of scars.
Since the cradle You’ve rocked her, carried her, and comforted her…She never sat alone.
