What Took You So Long?

With Tuesday being the day to "Shine a light on human slavery" I couldn't help but think about my daughter Nara. She could have so easily been a victim to such and I thank God everyday for watching over her. There are many details to Nara's past that I'm not going to mention here because that is her story to tell one day if she so chooses. I will however mention an incident which opened my eyes to some of the brokeness she has dealt with in her short life. 

Back in November, I began pulling Christmas decorations down out of the attic. Nara was so excited and wanted to help. As she began digging into one of the boxes she found a picture of herself in a Christmas frame from the year before. It was the first picture we ever received of Nara from her referral. We loved looking at it during the holidays as we prayed and waited until the day we could go get her. Nara and I began talking about how cute she was in this picture and how much she had grown. Her hair was noticeably shorter in this picture and I asked her if they buzzed it off at the AWAA Transition Home or the orphange. (They do this often for sanitary reasons). With just the mentioning of the orphanage, Nara's demeanor immediately changed. At the age of two she was taken to a government orphanage. Ryan and I were able to visit it on one of our trips last year. The place reminded me of a prison. Cement floors, metal beds, no color on the walls. We saw babies two to a crib and most of them not even making a sound. I guess because they knew if they cried no one would come to pick them up anyway. Nara was at this particular orphanage for about 8 months while her case was being investigated and to see if someone would come for her. With just the mention of Nara's haircut and the orphanage she immediately got very upset and said "Mommy, I don't want to talk about it." I gathered her in my arms and told her that was fine if she didn't want to talk about it but proceeded to ask her if the orphanage was a scary place. She buried her head in my chest and started crying as she muttered "yes" under her breath. I held her tightly as tears streamed down her face when she looked me dead in the eyes and said in desperation, "Mommy, why didn't you come and get me?" Tears immediately filled my eyes and began rolling down my cheeks. How could I explain to a four year old why it took so long for someone to come for her. Why for so long no one was there to kiss her boo boo's or hold her when she was scared. Why no one was there to laugh with her or wipe away her tears. I sat there silent not even knowing quite what to say. 

    I am so thankful that God is healing her heart and I am completely blown away each day at how well she has transitioned. I am so thankful that she now looks to us as someone who will be there for her, which I think is why she asked us why we didn't come for her sooner. I am so thankful that we said yes to adoption. I don't want to even think about what life could have been like for her if we hadn't. 

It's only by amazing grace you were born where you were-

to be amazing grace

for someone else

born somewhere else. 

-Ann Voskamp

What breaks my heart is thinking about how many other children are out there asking the same thing.  Who is coming to get me? Does anyone love me or even care about me? Many question how we can even make that much of a difference when there are so many men, women and children living in despair. Orphans, the poor, those being held victim to human trafficking. It can be overwhelming but we can't let it keep us from doing something. We can start with one person at a time. Not everyone is called to adopt, but we can all do something. Some suggestions may be to help another family who is adopting, sponsor a child, support an organization you are passionate about or check out A21 Campaign and see what they are doing around the world to abolish human trafficking in the 21st century. Mentor someone or be more intentional to seek out those who are broken and need a friend. 

Do for one what you wish you could do for all - Andy Stanley

I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person. So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. - Katie Davis 

Your greatest gift to the kingdom of God may not the big things you do but the people you love. One at a time. 

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. - Isaiah 61:1