Our little Da is small and spunky. Even though she speaks in the typical soft volume of many Thai girls, she's actually not afraid to ask questions, let you know what she's thinking, and even advocate for herself when need be. (Way to go, girlfriend!)
She and I have had many lovely little conversations, and she's ever so patient when I have to ask her to speak a little slowly, which is often because she's in a hurry to tell me 'all the things' much of the time.
On Friday of last week, she had a mishap at school when a chair came down on her foot. This required a quick trip to the hospital for x-rays. No broken bones, but some significant bruising and some bandaging for an abrasion. She limped fairly obviously over the weekend, even with the pain relief the doctor prescribed.
But last night, while we were returning from evening worship, she wanted to hold my hand coming up the walk. And while we walked she told me, "Ahjahn Ruth. My foot has no more pain." And then added simply, "God has helped me."
Pause.
I know it is important to guard against confusing magical thinking with what we believe and teach about how God interacts with us. A theology that is faithful to the whole of Scripture will honestly understand that God does not always behave in the way we might want Him to. He is not manipulated by us. He is God, we are not. And sometimes, when we ask for healing, just as an example, He has other plans.
And.
On Friday, the day the accident happened, at evening worship we prayed for Da's foot to soon be pain free.
For this little one in particular, who has seen violent things no child, no person of any age for that matter, should have seen, who has known trauma and terror and abandonment...for this child to begin to understand that there is indeed a loving Father Who is interested in the details of her life, Who cares when her foot hurts, and Who can and does intervene on her behalf....for her to be starting her own formation of a theology of His care for her....well....it doesn't get much better than this.
We can't begin to imagine the depth of healing our children here require. And none us, humanly, can make it happen. But we can provide an environment of safety and love and joy and hope. And hold little hands and listen to little voices beginning their own spiritual journeys into stronger, more beautiful futures. And allow the Spirit to work miracles in deep places.
Have I mentioned lately that I am astonished beyond anything I could have ever imagined for myself, just to be here, doing this?
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