Orphans

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Ephesians 1:2

Yesterday, as I sat on our backyard deck and basked in the warmth of the Son, God moved my heart to praise Him. I'd just returned from a gathering of women who were assembled to learn about a local organization that supports teenage girls in foster care. When I found myself surrounded by a beautiful, safe home in a beautiful, safe setting, I felt covered. Covered by grace and by peace.

At once, I began wrestling with the questions, "God, why them? Why not me? Why are they orphans? Why don't you provide permanent homes for them? Why? Why? Why?"

My heart was troubled and broken by their unstable lives in comparison to my own. Like most of you, I have more loving family members and friends than I can count. Not them. To many, they are the lowest of the low. Basically, these are the leftover girls who have never been chosen to become a part of a permanent family. 

As I was right in the middle of my reflection on this injustice, God settled me on an important truth. We are all orphans, if not for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. You see, none of us is worthy of a loving, permanent family. None of us, by our own merit, has any value or sonship. 

But, because God has given us His redemptive grace, through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, we are heirs. We have a forever family. We are a part. A part of a body of believers to which the Lord extends His grace and His peace. 

If you are feeling lonely today, rest in our Forever Faithful Father. He is the ONLY source of stability for any of us. He is the only permanence that we can obtain. 

Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to be your child. 

Lindsey Pond