There’s a little girl here (for her sake lets call her J), and she can walk. And while that might not seem like a huge thing, it is undoubtedly one of the most amazing things I have seen in my lifetime. Because for one so small and with a disability like hers, it is an amazing feet to accomplish, especially here in India. And since coming to India a little over a month ago I have watched J firsthand flourish into a spitfire little girl who will trample you if you don’t get out of her way fast enough. A little girl who giggles lots and asks for hugs boldly, who loves with a gentleness and a grace that just melts your heart and leaves you wanting to love her more. And she is phenomenal. And she can walk.
When I first met J, she was in a crib. Laying down looking at me but not really seeing me, in a room full of children doing the same thing. Yet she saw someone. She saw L (not her real name but changed for privacy). And L saw J. And I watched as L cared for J in a way that previously no one had. In fact L had met J over a year ago and then returned to India just for her. L wanted to love on J in a way that previously no one ever had, because by India standards J was not only a girl but a broken and sickly girl, the bottom of the bottom. But L saw with the eyes of Christ and loved J because she was and is beautiful in so many ways. And so they worked. Everyday. And L wanted to leave India with J having accomplished walking,because if she can walk she will get so much more attention and care. She will be able to help care for herself.
And so L and J worked. And J started to stand and then fell a lot. And then started to take steps with someone holding her up, and fell a lot. And then started to take steps and fell a lot. If you haven’t gotten the picture yet J fell so so so much. But she loved L and L loved J through the frustration and the tears. And less than 5 days ago J walked. L let go of her hands and the little girl whose balance was off and who laid in a crib day in and day out took off on her feet with a purpose. And she walked across the courtyard. And I watched and honestly got a little choked up. Because from day 1 I watched L love J with an immense amount of intentionality and purpose. And it was GORGEOUS.
And 3 days ago L had to leave. And J felt the absence. Because when someone loves you as much as L loved J, you feel that hole when they leave. And I know L feels that hole for J as well.
And throughout this whole process of J learning how to walk I have seen Jesus so clearly. I have seen the tenderness of Christ as he patiently walks beside me as I fall. I have seen compassion as he holds my hands. I have seen freedom as he finally lets go of my hands so I can walk on my own, even if I stumble and fall. And I have seen an everlasting and undying love that has the power to change someone’s life for the better. A love that has the power to bring life and purpose. And when I prayed to see God move and to see miracles here in India, I never thought my miracle would be to see a little girl walk. But that is a miracle in and of itself.
And as for J. Well you can watch her walk across the courtyard now. And when she falls, she smiles as I walk over and pick up her hands to pull her back up. And she giggles when I pull her into my lap and love on her. And she has STOLEN my heart. And the little girl who once only saw L and stared past everyone else is no more. Because now J sees everyone. And everyone sees J. And she has flourished in the love of everyone around her. And she has experienced God. The work L began in J changed her life, and she is continually being molded and changed as she captures not only the hearts of everyone around her but God’s as well.
Through both L and J I have seen God work a miracle. Because now J’s life is changed. And I know that one day J will not only walk but RUN into the arms of Jesus.