No, I will not abandon you as orphans-I will come to you.
Reflections:
Orphans…how often I thought of this word concerning that I felt like an orphan growing up. Because of poverty, I grew up apart from my parents most of the time. They could not support all of us and I and my sisters lived with some relatives as maids to pay for our keep. And when I was at home, my mother was the one who was away all the time to earn money to send to us.
Our father was both blind and deaf so he was not like a father who can support us and defend us from intruders. From people who mistreated us. And now…my two grandchildren lost their mother too. I lost one of my daughters. They still have a father, but they feel like orphans many times, especially when their father is not around most of the time.
In life, we can find ourselves in situations that we did not choose. Storms, problems, troubles, and heartaches keep coming and we begin to wonder why suffering is like our shadows that they go with us wherever we go. Those difficulties overwhelm us many times. And most of the time we feel alone.
During the years of my life, I learned that when I am weary and sad, I can turn my eyes to God. Although many times I felt that He was not around, but as I look back, I found out that He was working behind the scenes. Orchestrating and guiding me to make my life a story of His grace, mercy, and blessings.
I know now that Jesus cares and sees my struggles. He does something about them when I come to Him and put my trust in Him.
In the bible, (Mark 6:47-50) there was an incident where the disciples were in a boat in the middle of the lake. They were struggling with their oars because the wind was against them. But Jesus saw them when they were in the dark, battling with nature and feeling hopeless. And He came and told them “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. And Jesus climbed into the boat and the wind calmed down.
This story touched me deeply, knowing that if Jesus is in my heart which I believed He is, then I can be calm no matter what this life throws at me. Because the one who holds the future cares for me and is with me even in the darkest hour of my life or when storms in life hit me like a whirlwind. He promised in His Word that He will not abandon me. (John 14:18) With that I can rest assured because God never lies. His promises are worth keeping.
Prayer
Abba Father, I thank You that although I am just a prick on the sand concerning the vastness of the universe that You had created, You still see me. You see when I am up or down. Happy or sad. In need or plenty. My heart overwhelms with gratefulness for what You had done in my life and the lives of my loved ones too. Truly Oh God, we cannot repay You for everything. But I thank You that You only need our hearts. Fill our hearts Lord with longing for You. Making Your Word a delicacy that we long to eat every day.
Thank You for Your Words are life. They are living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it can judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Heb.4:12)
I pray for Your Words to manifest in our lives Father because apart from You we are like in a sinking boat without an anchor. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen