Angels
I met an angel last week. She is only 4 years old; and some might say she was a tragedy. This beautiful little doll was born with a terrible disorder that prevents her from "normal" development. Her disorder slows down the way her nervous system works, and has prevented her from learning to walk, talk, or do so many of the things we expect our children to do. Physically, she is indeed beautiful, and her laugh and obvious joy at being in the arms of those who love her make her charming.
Why do I say she is an angel? The answer is so plain. She inspires in those around her a simple all-accepting love that is truly divine love. Her parents and grandparents have devoted themselves to providing her with the best of care, devotion, providence that can be had. How like the love that the Father has for us they have been able to show. Yet, for all of that, they do not do everything for her. They lovingly encourage her to do all for herself that they can - for though all that she can be is so much less than they would want, it is so much more for her own good and development that they lovingly encourage and challenge her.
While her tiny hands so frequently drop the morsel of food, and the caregiver's could so easily hold and deliver that same morsel - while the child knows this and tries to hold the morsel in the adult's hand, the right sad thing to do is to insist the child keep trying until success is achieved, then praise and love.
How like the love that God has for us, His children. By taking away our will, our choices, He could provide a painless life for us, and give us all "good" things. But "good" only exists where there is also "bad"; and we would not be in God's own image if we could not choose. He REALLY loves us enough to want us to be made over into His image; and that can only occur if we struggle to achieve, to grow, and if we can fail as well as succeed; for those two exist only in tandem - never in isolation.
What a great lie the father of lies has convinced us of - that God does not really care since He allows suffering. The reality is that rejoicing can only exist where there is also sorrow; and God has given us the opportunity to choose which we will grasp.
Watching this little angel, I could not help but love her. I know that God loves her and will show her to us in her full beauty in eternity; and wants all of us to have the opportunity to show His love for her while she is with us.
How great is the Father's love for us!