“Hey, I need your advice because I don’t know what to do,” she said.
Startled by her courage to ask, “sure thing!” I said with willingness to help in anyway I could. We walked outside of the classroom and sat down under an Acadia tree.
“So I don’t have the greatest relationship with my dad but today after a while of not talking to him he told me that he’s very ill.” she said.
“You know what it looks like when someone hasn’t eaten in a while and you can see their bones in their stomach? My dad is like that, he also has a rash that is spreading throughout his body”
Tears swelled up in her eyes….
“Nettie, I just don’t know what to do.”
My heart broke for her. I met her for the first time two days previously at an after school tutoring program for government claimed orphans. She was a kind, joyful 14 year old girl who loved Jesus, friends, soccer and art.
We worked through some math problems but our conversation was more than algebra. She told me that 6 years ago she lost her mother. No one else in her family understood the pain and heartache she was enduring.
Everyday she said she cries herself to sleep. The only thing that keeps her going is her relationship with God.
“You’re not alone, God sees, hears and is with you. He loves you so much and doesn’t want you to walk through this alone. Keep praying and seeking Him” I said as we hugged in tears and prayed.
After that, she gleamed of a joy that was above her circumstances and said, “without God I wouldn’t be able to do this, He is the one who gives me true peace.”
Wherever you are in your life God is there. He endured the greatest suffering for our sake and is with us through any trial or triumph.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Christ’s chastisement brought us PEACE.
Even though the girl was claimed an “orphan” she is actually a daughter of the King. She knew that regardless of her circumstances she would never be able to get through it because Jesus is the only one that brings true peace.
Your sufferings or trials are to bring others PEACE seeing that you walk through them with Jesus. Be reminded today that He sees, hears and knows YOU and brings true peace in all circumstances.
