His name was Jose.
Dominican child, four foot nothin?, around 7 years old, mentally disabled, with bones and muscles not functioning as they should. He was probably shunned by the world for his looks and challenges, probably abused for being anything but normal, probably a lonely creature for being just plain different.
I knew him for two days, but boy did I love my beautiful Jose.
From the moment I laid eyes on him I knew that child was unique, and not because he is challenged, but because Jesus made that child.
I was instantly drawn to him, and wanted to kiss and hug him, tuck him into my arms and make up for all the love he had ever lacked in his life. His magnificent crooked smile made me smile back, his big brown eyes and the way he looked at me made me feel as if I was looking at an angel, and his tiny, contorted, chocolate skin frame made me feel like I was holding one of the most precious gifts God has ever let me hold.
Literally, my heart beats hard and thick within me for that child. The loneliest ones are cradled within the pits of my soul. That?s just the way my Father made me.
Jose, for two days, would take me by the hand and drag me around, and for being physically challenged he was a strong little dude! He would take me around the room he was in, point me out to his friends, and then keep dragging me around. I was his, which I absolutely didn?t mind.
Jesus brought me Jose, for good reason, too.
I think, first, simply to love him, bring my Saviors love to him and smother him in it. I can imagine Jesus being there and picking up Jose and putting him on His lap and speaking to his disciples about how unless we become like one of these little ones that we wouldn?t see the Kingdom.
And secondly, Jesus wanted to tell me that the way I love Jose is exactly the way Jesus loves me. He looks at me so tenderly and with longing to love all over me, to make up for all the lack of love I have ever experienced, to look past my challenges and messiness and to say, ?You are so loved, my beloved little one, you are precious to me, beyond what words can say.?
Wow, Lord, you think of ME that way? Yes, deeply so.
So, to my little angel Jose, you taught me the way my Savior feels about me and about you, the way He looks at me despite my messiness and brokenness, you brought me joy amidst your difficult situation, your love trifled with my heart in the most dazzling way ever, plainly I love you, and I will never forget you. I see my Jesus in you.
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