A Good Cry

Typically, I’m not a very emotional person, but I cried today. It was a good cry. Not for myself, though I admit I’ve had a selfish cry a few times before. Today I cried for a little girl who I’ve grown to love. She came here not long ago and instantly increased the level of joy in the place. She was delighted to be here – loved the food – loved the bed – made lots of friends right away. She’s a great kid. She’s easy to love – everyone loves her.

But today I cried for her because today we found out she was HIV positive. She doesn’t know yet. She won’t know for a while – she’s only six… She’s only six! Dear sweet child of six, how can your life have already been so hard. You watched your baba and mama die, you were left alone and now things were going to get better but they will still be hard for you. Oh God why?

And as I cried, I heard a strong familiar voice soothing me. ‘Yes my daughter, cry for her, cry hard for her. That fact that you are crying for her means she is loved. That’s why I brought her there – to be loved, to be rescued, and to become My daughter as well. Care deeply for her. She is Mine.’

That was it. The fact that anyone would cry for her was the story of her audacious rescue by an adoring God. A small, beautiful, insignificant child hidden in the bush of Kenya dramatically rescued by God, who couldn’t let her out of His sight. A few months ago, no one might have known. She could have become sick and died and no one might have cared really. But now, she is truly loved and has hope for her future.

I’m going to talk to her sponsor tomorrow and they will cry too…we will cry together. But really, it will be another good cry because it will shout the significance of her life – the significance of every life.

Thank you God for the opportunity to cry today.