The value of important people

Ever since I first saw pictures of Leyehna I have been searching for answers. Children like her are hungry, unvisited and often abused. Why shouldn't I hope and pray that they all die and be with Jesus? Going further, wouldn't it be better if someone euthanized them? I knew that was wrong, but why. Leyehna died shortly after she was put into my life. I wept and mourned. I knew that she was with Jesus, but her dying before someone came to love her seemed like a tragedy.

A little while later I heard of and loved Levina (Nadia, neither her real name).

After asking the Lord for answers and discussing the subject with Leon I am beginning to understand. Children like Levina are very important people. Two of the reasons are; 1. God has a purpose for their life and 2. the image of God is on them.

I read in the bible that Levina "is fearfully and wonderfully made, His works (of making her) are wonderful, I know that Full well". The scriptures talk about how God made her "to do the good works which He planned in advance for her to do." I wondered when I read about how he knit her together in her mothers womb - and yet she has some serious physical problems. God gave me wisdom to see and sometimes be overwhelmed at how wonderful she is.

Wonderful are her tiny fingers stiff with misuse; delicate, perfectly formed fingernails and toes. The way she turns toward and responds to any attention given her instead of resenting how long she has been neglected. How wonderful is her soft brown hair and her kissable lips. It is no chore to love Levina. It is a painful, exquisite, glorious thing. I give into it, knowing that I am not worshiping her but the God who made her.

I don't know what her purpose is. Reading the scripture it would seem that at least part of her purpose is to be taken care of by us, the church.

So, when we are praying for her we shouldn't pray that she die, any more than we pray that for ourselves. Rather, pray God's will for her. Among other things, we know that he wants her to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. He also wants the care givers to exhibit these things when they care for her. We know that He wants to use people to be His hands and feet, mouth, and eyes, the body of Christ. To stroke her hollow cheek and listen with interest to her attempts at communication. We know He wants us to give thanks and worship Him as her Creator. "Change us Lord".