Chapter 13 - Circling Girl
One time at the center I was doing the paperwork for a new family. The little girl, about 5, was filthy. Her hair was greasy and her clothes were dirty and torn. I could not even guess the last time she had a bath or her clothes were washed. I hoped she would be shy and hide behind mom until she was cleaned up. I was o.k. with her being “over there”. Instead she started circling the room watching me. At first I avoided eye contact. We could be friends later. I noticed her watching me as she walked in circles around the room. There was a look in her eyes that was beyond sad; more like an acceptance of being rejected. It was like she was saying “You are going to reject me too.” I heard God’s voice in my ear saying “Why are you here? It is easy to care for the beautiful, clean children but I sent you here for her and she needs you now” I looked at her, smiled and said her name. We finished the paperwork with her sitting with me, her dirty head resting on my shoulder. The sad look replaced with a little smile.
I think how this parallels our relationship with God. We first approach him dirty and feeling unlovable. He smiles, calls our name and loves us in our filth. He doesn’t wait for us to “clean up” he accepts us just as we are. After we experience his love we are a different child but he loved the dirty child just as much.