Together In The JourneySample

Longing

“When I saw the baby, I could not hold my emotions any longer. I started crying uncontrollably. Tears dripped off my face onto the marble floor. I told Thomas I needed to leave. My heart was heavy dealing with everything I had seen and experienced.

It took me quite a while to process our visit to the orphanage. I was thankful to see where Lyla lived most of her days and to know it was clean and safe. But I also knew an institution was still an institution; nothing compares to having a loving parent. My heart was broken...” (Chapter 12)

This may be hard but try to imagine what it is like being a child in an orphanage and wanting to feel accepted—wanting to feel loved and wanted.

Visualize yourself wanting your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs met, with no one there to meet those needs. Visualize witnessing other children with their newfound parents while wondering, “What is wrong with me? Why has no one chosen me?” How can we begin to understand the pain? Can you hear the groaning and the longing in the heart of the child?

It was tough for me seeing teenage girls in my daughter’s orphanage. They would hardly make eye contact, and they did not smile. My heart broke for them, as I knew they had probably witnessed other children get chosen as they sat there wishing it was them.

The only way I get through heart-wrenching scenes like this is by knowing God hears the longing and groaning from orphans, He knows their pain and needs, and He wants to meet them. It is obvious throughout Scripture that He cares so much for them. He wants to provide a family for them, and ultimately He wants them to come to Him. God has an adoptive family for everyone: His family. While some may not be chosen for earthly adoption, God's invitation to join His adoptive family will remain there for each and every one, and He will place the invitation in their path at His time.

The Bible says that believers’ spirits groan within them to be with Him in Heaven as well, that we cry out for our Abba, Father. It also says that the Holy Spirit will groan for us when we no longer can utter the words.

Cry out to Abba Father today, thankful that He chose us and provided for us. But also groan for the millions of waiting children out there longing to be chosen. Pray they would have their needs met by not only an earthly family, but also that they would receive and accept their call into God's family. 

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you remember those orphaned from their heavenly Father.