Two weeks ago I met and fell in love with the most precious little three year old, Macario. The first time I met him and heard his story my heart broke. He’s an abandoned child who was severely malnourished giving him the appearance of, at most, a twelve month old. When he first arrived at the hospital he required a feeding tube and has improved enough to where he can eat on his own now. His fingers and toes are the size of an infants and when you rub his back you can feel his bones. Then you look into his beautiful eyes and see this desire for love.
Yesterday afternoon I went to the nursery at the hospital to visit with him. As I bent over his crib to pick him up he welcomed me with a huge smile and wrapped his arms tightly around my neck. We sang, rocked, and played the afternoon away. He had this hunger to be held and never let go. He eventually curled up into a tiny ball in my arms and we swayed back and forth until he was fast asleep. My arms were a safe, comfortable place for him to rest his head and have no worries. A refuge from all of the negative influences he’s been forced to face.
Holding this sweet, little boy I was reminded of how Jesus promises in John 14, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” Macario may not have his earthly parents defining him as orphaned or abandoned but he has a Father in Heaven who loves him and is protecting him always. How sweet it is to know that just by sitting with this precious child that we are showing him just a fraction of the love God has for each of us as His children. It’s our responsibility “to look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27).
Thanks to Leslie and Britt for the photos!
