This week I had the opportunity to spend some time with a wonderful family who came to where I am staying in Accra, Ghana. Mom, dad, and four beautiful daughters...the youngest being only a month old.
One of the girls, Anastasia, had a very exceptional beauty to her. As she sat alone in her chair, Pastor Daniel, my host, introduced me to her. For some time now he has been attempting to obtain a wheel chair for her. You see, this beautiful little girl has a quickly progressing case of Muscular Dystrophy. She can neither walk, nor stand on her own. In fact, when they go anywhere, her older sister carries Anastasia on her back. They have no other way.
She is wispy thin and her hands are distorted and twisted. Her feet roam uncontrollably beneath her. It is only by complete support from another that she can be on her feet. But one thing stands out.
Anastasia has eyes that just penetrate your heart.
It was not long after we were introduced that we bonded and I brought her to sit with me. She eventually migrated to my lap and I embraced her. As she sat in my lap facing frontward, I wrapped my arms around her in a loving embrace as she comfortably rested against my chest; her head nestled under my chin. As she sat there fully content between my shoulders, I moved my head to the side and she looked up at me with those eyes, eyes of innocence and helplessness, just seeking love and more love. As we sat there, her eyes simply melted me and tears of compassion welled up in my own eyes for this precious and beloved child of God. It was at this time it occurred to me that this is how our Father in heaven holds us. He holds us between His shoulders, we see into His eyes with faith, we hear His heartbeat, and He shelters us from harm. Deuteronomy 33:12 says this:
"The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him, Who shelters him all the day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders."
As Anastasia sat there in my lap I imagined being held by my LORD, just as she was being held, sitting contently in the lap of my heavenly Father, dwelling safely there and sheltered all the day long; between His shoulders, feeling the warmth of His love and the beat of His heart. I envisioned the day when our faith will be made sight and we will truly be able to look into His eyes of love. God continues to take my breath away in moments like this; His presence endlessly preparing us for our homecoming.
This is how I envision the children who will come to Step By Step Children's Orphanage; each one given A Home, A Hope, and A Future; each one resting and dwelling in the safety of their Heavenly Father; He who will be sheltering them all the day long, and each one dwelling lovingly and intimately between His shoulders. Our loving Papa is even now, manifesting His pure love upon us, preparing us for them and them for us. We wait in great anticipation for the grand homecoming to begin.
Love you my brothers and sisters in Christ!!!
Papa John (John Michael Stainsby:)
