I've been reading the bible a lot lately. You could say this is an excellent byproduct of boredom in the evening when I'm all alone in my room. You could also say it's the Holy Spirit working in my heart...when I'm REALLY bored!! Either way, or both ways, I was reading in Mark the other night and the Holy Spirit pointed out Mark 10:16 to me. It says:
New International Version (©1984)
And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
At first I read through this verse, thinking nothing of it. After all, everyone knows Jesus loves children, right? But what caught my eye was the part where He took them in His arms. As His children, Jesus teaches us, He counsels us, He heals us, He gives us strength, and in that moment I saw a Jesus who embraces us. An embrace assumes acceptance and love that is SO tender. For me, the love of the Father has been just that, fatherly. Strong, wise, all-knowing, ever present, protective, a strong tower. In this scripture my heart delights in Jesus' display of a mother's love. An embrace. A nurturer, gentle, kind, soft, and adoring.
As I've been in Africa, I've wondered how God is using me. I help children color in the morning, mark papers in the afternoon, and play a lot in between. It seems somewhat unproductive to me, through my human lens. But when I read this scripture, the Holy Spirit confirmed a suspicion I've had since coming last year. God is using my arms, my hands, and my desire to bless these children, to convey His love that came so naturally when He dwelled on earth among us. In our free time at the school, I hardly ever go without a child wrapped in my arms, head on my chest. I am constantly touching their faces, smiling, cooing, and just adoring them.
I'm in no way trying to give myself props...it really has nothing to do with me. It's how I've been created by my Father, to display His tender side, through what we associate with a mother's love. I am a momma, regardless of my single status and lack of activity in my own womb. I have babies in the United States, whom friends let me 'borrow', and I have babies in Africa, whom the Lord has allowed me to love.
So folks, this is my ministry. So simple, yet I'm so proud to be a part of it. I have the honor of displaying God's tenderness to these babies. Isn't it beautiful how God made man and woman? A man to display God's strength, and a woman to display God's tender love. Both are God. Both are magnificent. I'm so happy.
Love yall!
Jenna
